Should airports ditch the TSA?

More and more major airports are thinking of replacing TSA screeners with private security contractors. Would that make fliers safer or happier?

Sixteen airports across the country have already hired private firms to conduct their security procedures.
(Image credit: Corbis)

Sixteen airports nationwide, including San Francisco International, have opted to replace TSA screeners with private security firms since 2002. And now, in the wake of public outrage over new TSA security procedures, several more airports are considering making the change in the hope of offering better customer service. The incoming chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. John Mica (R-FL), is encouraging the switch. Should airports take heed and ditch the TSA? (Watch a local report about a banned TSA protester)

Customer service is a strong incentive: Private contractors must follow the same rules as TSA agents, and use the same TSA-approved scanners, says William Clay III in Gather. But "if the people who are executing these thorough searches were more diplomatic, then the experience could be less abhorrent" for passengers and help airports retain frequent flyers.

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