January 29, 2011 No more private screeners
Shortly after the TSA began its new groping program, a handful of airports, under the urging of Rep. Johm Mica (R.-Fla), contemplated replacing TSA screeners with private contractors. This is already done at 16 airports such as San Francisco and Kansas City. According to Mica it would make the screeners more responsive to the public and more easily replaced than the ones working for TSA.
At the time, the TSA said it would allow it.
Not any more. As of Friday, the TSA said no more private screeners. The ones alreadyin place could stay, but no new airports could apply.
You have to wonder what could have caused this reversal? The fact that the union representing the TSA workers is thrilled, the fact that the government could keep control over the people, or perhaps the fact that the TSA was tired of being outperformed by its competition.
You decide.
(Frank II)
Reader Comments (1)
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/01/29/tsa.private/index.html?iref=allsearch
It doesn't look like they outperformed the TSA where it really counts. None of the entities found concealed bomb parts. Nothing else can take a plane down these days from within the cabin. So that's what they should concentrate on. Forget about the little knives!
I think it's pretty obvious why they stopped the programme. What makes me wonder is why the TSA would be the one to decide whether they allow any competition. It should be an institution above the TSA that decides this kind of thing. Which company will allow competition if they have a say on it?