Roberta Aguirre
Airport security screeners play a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of passengers, personnel, and facilities within the airport. They are responsible for conducting thorough security screenings of passengers and their belongings to identify and prevent prohibited items from entering secure areas of the airport. This includes checking luggage and cargo for illicit items using X-ray machines, metal detectors, and physical pat-downs. Airports have the option to privatize these security screener positions through the TSA's Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which allows them to contract security screening services to qualified private companies. Private screening contractors offer certain advantages, such as flexibility in staffing and efficiency, but they are also subject to the same security screener hiring restrictions and challenges as federal screeners. This raises the question: Can airports afford private screener machines, and what are the implications for airport security and passenger experience?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Advantages of private screening companies | More efficient, not subject to government shutdown restrictions, can set their own staffing targets, can hire contractors for nonessential jobs |
| Requirements for private screeners | Same security background check, medical requirements, and training as federal security screeners |
| Application process for Screening Partnership Program | Submit application to local Federal Security Director, receive notification within 60 days |
| Airport operator role | Contract directly with a vendor for non-regulatory or non-certified positions, coordinate with Federal Security Director for supervision |
| Number of contract screeners | Determined by the private company providing security screening services |
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What You'll Learn
Advantages of private screening contractors
The TSA's Screening Partnership Program (SPP) allows commercial airports to opt for private companies to handle security screening under TSA oversight. Here are some advantages of private screening contractors:
Efficiency and Speed
Private screening contractors are often more efficient and can help reduce long lines at airports. They can set their own staffing targets and hire as many screeners as needed, which can lead to shorter wait times for passengers. Private screeners are also not subject to government shutdown restrictions, as seen during the 2019 government shutdown when San Francisco International Airport avoided terminal checkpoint closures due to adequate staffing by private contractors.
Flexibility in Staffing and Operations
Private companies have the flexibility to hire and manage their contract screeners, determining the number of screeners needed while adhering to TSA security standards and procedures. They can also hire contractors for non-essential jobs, such as moving bins or reminding passengers of checkpoint requirements, freeing up TSA personnel for other critical tasks.
Improved Quality of Service
Private screening agencies can often respond to issues more quickly and efficiently than government agencies. They are motivated to provide better customer service and meet the expectations of frequent flyers, airport executives, and lawmakers.
Cost-Effectiveness
While cost comparisons between TSA and private screening vary from year to year, private screening contractors can offer cost savings for airports in certain cases.
It is important to note that private screening contractors must adhere to the same security standards, procedures, and technologies as the TSA, ensuring a consistent level of security across all airports.
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Staffing flexibility
During the 2019 government shutdown, San Francisco International Airport avoided terminal checkpoint closures due to adequate staffing by a private screening company. Private screeners are often more efficient and are not subject to government shutdown restrictions. They can hire contractors for non-essential jobs, such as moving bins or reminding passengers of checkpoint requirements.
Airports that choose private screening contractors are not bound by federal staffing guidelines. Instead, they have the autonomy to determine their staffing needs and hire accordingly. This flexibility allows airports to tailor their staffing to their specific requirements, optimising their operations.
The Screening Partnership Program (SPP) allows commercial airports to contract security screening services to qualified private companies. These companies operate under federal oversight and must adhere to TSA security screening procedures. The TSA seeks to provide flexibility to contractors, enabling them to manage operations efficiently while meeting security and customer service standards.
While private security screening companies face similar hiring restrictions and challenges as the federal government, they have more flexibility in setting their staffing targets. They can hire additional screeners as needed and bring on contractors for non-essential tasks, ensuring adequate staffing levels and efficient operations.
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Hiring challenges
The hiring challenges for airports looking to employ private screening machines are similar to those of the federal government. Private security screening companies are subject to the same security screener hiring restrictions and challenges as the federal government. Contract screener candidates must receive the same security background checks and meet the same medical requirements as prospective federal security screeners. Additionally, all contract screeners must attend all TSA-provided training, including training at the TSA Academy.
The hiring process for private security screeners is also subject to the local economy, which can affect the availability of candidates. Private screening contractors are often more efficient and are not subject to government shutdown restrictions, as seen during the 2019 government shutdown when San Francisco International Airport avoided terminal checkpoint closures due to a lack of staffing.
Private screening companies have more flexibility in setting their own staffing targets and can hire as many screeners as needed, including contractors for non-essential jobs. Ultimately, the private company providing security screening services determines the number of contract screeners hired, with the goal of managing operations as efficiently as possible while meeting security and customer service standards.
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Screening equipment
Airports use a variety of screening equipment to ensure the safety of passengers, personnel, and facilities. These include metal detectors, x-ray machines, millimeter wave scanners, and cabinet x-ray machines. Metal detectors use magnetic fields to detect metal objects, while x-ray machines create images of items inside luggage. Millimeter wave scanners use non-ionizing radiofrequency waves to detect hidden threats such as guns and knives.
Some security devices use ionizing radiation to scan luggage, and the FDA ensures that these machines are built and maintained to safe standards. Safety measures are in place to protect workers and travelers from exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation.
The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) employs airport security screeners, who are responsible for operating this equipment to inspect carry-on and checked baggage. Screeners must be proficient in English, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be at least 18 years old. They also need strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.
Some airports, such as San Francisco International Airport, have partnered with private screening companies through the TSA's Screening Partnership Program. These companies are subject to the same hiring restrictions as the federal government and must comply with all TSA security procedures. Private screeners have the advantage of not being subject to government shutdowns and can set their own staffing targets.
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Cost of machines
The cost of screening machines varies depending on the type of technology used. There are five different scanning methods commonly used at airports: magnetic imaging, x-ray imaging, puffer machines, magnetometers, and swabbing.
Magnetic imaging uses millimeter-wave radiation to create three-dimensional images of travellers and detect metal and non-metal weapons. These scanners, however, cannot detect the chemical signature of explosives. The cost of millimeter wave scanners ranges between $150,000 and $200,000 per unit.
X-ray imaging uses x-ray radiation to create two-dimensional images of travellers and identify any hidden weapons. Scanners built using this technology cost $190,000 per unit for body scanning and $35,000 to $45,000 for baggage checking.
Puffer machines, also known as explosives trace-detection portal machines, use air jets to dislodge particles from clothing and skin, which are then analysed for traces of explosives.
Magnetometers, commonly known as metal detectors, use magnetic fields to detect metal objects. They create a magnetic field by using a brief pulse of electrical current, which reflects back to the machine if metal objects are present.
Swabbing involves the use of a handheld trace detector on a person's hands and luggage to test for traces of explosives. A sample is taken by the device and then inspected by a machine that identifies any substances of concern.
In recent years, a new kind of airport security scanner based on CT scanning technology has gained traction. These machines, which were previously reserved for the medical field, create three-dimensional images that can be easily manipulated and analysed by staff. They can also scan laptops, tablets, and liquids while they are still in bags.
While the cost of some machines is publicly available, the cost of others may be more difficult to obtain due to varying specifications and procurement processes. Additionally, the cost of installation, maintenance, and staffing must also be considered when evaluating the overall cost of screening machines for airports.
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Frequently asked questions
The Screening Partnership Program (SPP) allows commercial airports to contract security screening services to qualified private companies. These companies are subject to the same security screener hiring restrictions as the federal government and must comply with all TSA security screening procedures.
Private screening contractors are often more efficient and are not subject to government shutdown restrictions. Private companies can set their own staffing targets and hire as many screeners as needed. They can also hire contractors for nonessential jobs, like moving bins or reminding passengers of checkpoint requirements.
Interested airport authorities can submit an application to their local Federal Security Director. The TSA is required to make a determination on an application within 60 days of receipt.
