Florida Airport to Opt Out of TSA Screening

[Autolykos]

From here:

Reporter: Ken Tyndall

The backlash continues over those new TSA screening measures, and now one Central Florida airport has decided to go with a private security screening firm.

Orlando Sanford International Airport has decided to opt out from TSA screening.

“All of our due diligence shows it’s the way to go,” said Larry Dale, the director of the Sanford Airport Authority. “You’re going to get better service at a better price and more accountability and better customer service.”

Dale says he will be sending a letter requesting to opt out from TSA screening, and instead the airport will choose one of the five approved private screening companies to take over.

Congressman John Mica, who’s expected to lead the powerful Transportation Committee next year, says the TSA is crying out for reform.

“I think TSA is overstepping its bounds,” said Mica.

Dale says, if all goes as planned, the private security firm could take over in about 12 months.

This could be huge. Orlando has two international airports, Orlando International Airport and Orlando-Sanford International Airport. While the former is bigger and more centrally located, we could see more people choosing flights to and from Orlando-Sanford. Of course, it depends on whether the private security firm is as invasive as the TSA.

If this takes off (no pun intended!), I wouldn’t be surprised if Congress ends up passing a law requiring all airports to use TSA. That would make airports de facto federal property. At least then we’d see the gloves come off further.

[Autolykos]

Wow, no one cares about this? I figured you guys would be excited.

[scineram]

It is interesting news. I did not think this was possible.

[Autolykos]

There’s an update to the article. The TSA’s point of view has been added to the end:

The TSA points out that even if an airport decides to use a private firm for security, the screeners still must follow TSA guidelines. That would include using the full body scanners if they are installed at the airport. [Emphasis added.]

I don’t believe body scanners are installed at Orlando-Sanford. Without the TSA, it sounds like none would need to be installed and hence none of the invasive pat-downs would be necessary.

Again, however, Congress could always pass laws that mandate the presence of TSA itself at all airports and/or the installation of body scanners at all airports.

[Azure]

instead the airport will choose one of the five approved private screening companies to take over

Uh-huh. I can’t help but wonder what the standard for “approval” is and how easily it can be changed by spiteful bureaucrats.

[limitgov]

This is HUGE news!

This is exactly what we wanted!

The government is offering to subsidize airline security for Orlando Airport, but they have choosen to pay for it themselves and use a private, non-government company…amazing!

I’m sure this is because people traveling to Disney World are getting angry over what their kids are having to go through with TSA to get there.

[Autolykos]

@Azure

instead the airport will choose one of the five approved private screening companies to take over

Uh-huh. I can’t help but wonder what the standard for “approval” is and how easily it can be changed by spiteful bureaucrats.

Well, it’s hardly a perfect solution.

Still, I think it could be at least a marginal improvement over the TSA. And it’s another signal that people are fed up with its shenanigans.

[BiPolarMoment]

I think you may overestimate how many flights actually go out of the Sanford airport.

[Autolykos]

@limitgov

This is HUGE news!

This is exactly what we wanted!

The government is offering to subsidize airline security for Orlando Airport, but they have choosen to pay for it themselves and use a private, non-government company…amazing!

Yep, I thought so too.

@limitgov

I’m sure this is because people traveling to Disney World are getting angry over what their kids are having to go through with TSA to get there.

Well, they’d still probably have to go through TSA to fly down to Orlando. But if they leave via Orlando-Sanford, they wouldn’t have to go through it again.

[Autolykos]

@BiPolarMoment

I think you may overestimate how many flights actually go out of the Sanford airport.

There are a lot less than Orlando International Airport. However, the point is that Sanford may start having more flights if this catches on. It may also lead to more airports opting out of TSA screening, which just strengthens the message against it.

[limitgov]

“Well, they’d still probably have to go through TSA to fly down to Orlando. But if they leave via Orlando-Sanford, they wouldn’t have to go through it again.”

I travel to Disney World every year with my kids. We are not going this year. In part, because flying is so invasive.

I don’t think we’ll ever fly down there again. Not until they correct the airline security.

[notP]

hooray now I can fly home for the holidays!!! Westchester, NY to Sanford, FL! For the no-grope win!

[emw1209]

Airports suck

[Kakugo]

I think you are being a little too enthusiastic. The airport must comply to TSA standards: that means if the TSA earmarked the airport to be equipped with body scanners, they will be fitted no matter who’s watching the monitors. Also what about “the five private approved screening companies”? Care to take a shot they are somehow connected to defense or prison contractors?

[Autolykos]

Yeah, at this point it looks like you’re right. My initial impression was that, if a private company were used for screening instead of the TSA itself, there’d be no requirement to use body scanners and “enhanced” pat-downs. From what I could tell, the latter were to be used only for people opting-out of the body scanners. Hence, if there are no body scanners, there are no “enhanced” pat-downs.

If the TSA can still order Orlando-Sanford International Airport to use body scanners (and thus “enhanced” pat-downs) in spite of a private company handling the airport security, then I’m afraid this is all for nought.