More than 100 U.S. airports are considering opting out of federally operated passenger screening, according to House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.).
Mica said that as of Nov. 19, airports will be able to apply to opt out of TSA-controlled screening, which has transportation lawmakers concerned. “I want to promote a smooth transition from federal screening to federal supervision of screening,” Mica said last week at a briefing of Aviation Week Group editors.
According to Mica, the pilot program for private screening at five airports including San Francisco International is “working well.” Analysis of the results from the program will be available at the end of March, he said.
Airports contacting the Transportation Committee are concerned about screening-company protocols, while some airports are interested in providing screening themselves. “We want to make certain… liability is clear,” Mica said.
Spelling out exactly what will be required of airports opting out is a top priority for Mica. “We don’t want chaos,” and want airports to know details as soon as possible, he said.
Mica favors the opt-out program, contending that the private sector is more adept at issues like staff scheduling during peaks and valleys. “TSA can’t get scheduling right for 429 airports,” he said.
Airports are also in dire need of “seamless” baggage screening, he said. The nation’s 30 largest airports handle 70% of its traffic. Of those airports, only eight have integrated inline baggage screening systems completed and in place, Mica said. Five inline systems have been approved with Letters of Intent.
House transportation lawmakers probably won’t show much sympathy for carriers during the upcoming session, according to Mica, echoing comments made by ranking House Transportation member James Oberstar (D-Minn.)(Airports, Feb. 3) Mica called financial strains felt by some major network carriers part of “a natural business evolution,” and said he would not support further assistance to carriers unless they could document financial burdens were brought on by federal security requirements.