Over the recent weekend, some of the busiest airports across the United States experienced unusually long security lines stretching into baggage claim areas and parking garages, signaling early signs that the ongoing partial government shutdown is beginning to disrupt air travel. While such delays have yet to become widespread, these developments have raised concerns about the potential for broader travel complications if the shutdown persists.
One airport that notably stands apart from this trend is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a major hub and one of the nation’s busiest airports. Unlike most airports, which rely on federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers for passenger screening, SFO is part of a relatively rare federal program that allows certain airports to outsource security checkpoint operations to private contractors. Although these contractors operate under TSA oversight and adhere to the same security standards, their pay is secured through federal contracts that remain funded even during government shutdowns. As a result, SFO’s security operations have continued without interruption this weekend, a situation the airport’s spokesperson Doug Yakel called “a very nice place to be.”
This contrast between airports staffed by federal TSA officers and those using private contractors highlights a longstanding debate within the aviation industry about whether privatized security screening under federal supervision can serve as a buffer against government shutdowns and related disruptions. Aviation experts point to the success of the TSA’s screening partnership program at SFO, which helped the airport maintain normal operations during last year’s record 43-day government shutdown. This suggests that privatization could be a viable model for keeping security lines moving smoothly even amid political impasses that stall government funding.
However, the prospect of privatizing TSA screening operations is not without controversy. The union representing federal TSA officers strongly opposes the idea, arguing that privatization could erode job protections, reduce pay and benefits, and exacerbate turnover among workers already facing demanding conditions. The American Federation of Government Employees emphasizes that the federalization of airport security screening was a deliberate response to the security shortcomings exposed by the September 11 attacks, and they warn that shifting these responsibilities to private companies could weaken accountability and uniformity in security standards across airports.
Under the TSA’s screening partnership program, private security firms are selected by the federal government to operate checkpoints at participating airports, with TSA maintaining authority over procedures and oversight. These private screeners must pass the same rigorous background checks and meet identical medical requirements as federal TSA officers. Besides SFO, airports such as Kansas City International Airport, Atlantic City International Airport, and Orlando Sanford International Airport participate in this program. Nevertheless, the vast majority of the nation’s approximately 400 commercial airports continue to rely on TSA-employed federal screeners. During government shutdowns, these officers must continue to work despite not receiving paychecks, leading to increased absenteeism and slower security lines over time.
The current partial shutdown specifically affects the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which encompasses the TSA. The impasse arose because congressional Democrats refused to fund DHS over disagreements regarding immigration enforcement policies. This shutdown marks the third time in less than a year that TSA workers have been forced to work without pay and face delays in receiving back pay once the government reopens. Such disruptions have ripple effects throughout the travel system, exacerbating delays at already crowded airports and complicating flight schedules. The timing is particularly problematic as the nation approaches what airlines and airports expect to be one of the busiest spring break travel seasons on record.
Sheldon Jacobson, an aviation security expert whose research contributed to the creation of TSA PreCheck, views SFO’s experience as a strong argument in favor of expanding privatized screening under TSA oversight. He notes that SFO, with its large passenger volume and status as a major United Airlines hub, demonstrates that even complex, high-traffic airports can successfully operate under this model. Jacobson argues that concerns about scaling the program to larger airports may be overstated and advocates for a broader national conversation about how privatization could enhance efficiency and traveler experience, especially during government funding crises. He emphasizes that TSA would retain oversight, ensuring that private contractors operate within strict security guidelines, and suggests that the current shutdown presents an opportunity to explore such options.
Despite these arguments, the union representing TSA officers remains firm in its opposition. Johnny Jones, secretary-treasurer of the union’s bargaining unit, stated unequivocally that they will “never advocate for any privatization of any federal employees” because they believe it would not work. The union’s official blog highlights concerns that privatization could lead to cost-cutting measures that compromise training,