Second Orlando Airport Could Evict TSA

Congressional overseers urge TSA to “refrain from approving” airport applications for private security screeners

Orlando could soon be the destination of choice for Americans and other holiday makers who wish to avoid TSA harassment, after Orlando International Airport (OIA) said it could follow it’s neighbour airport, Orlando Sandford, in seeking to replace the government agency with private screeners.

As Fox 35 Orlando reports, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) is now seeking to institute new customer service standards at the airport, with the Chairman suggesting that private security could be brought in should the TSA fail to meet them.

“Once we establish those (standards), we’ll evaluate,” said Chairman Frank Kruppenbacher. “Can the TSA meet those standards or not? Should we put it out for a bid?” he rhetorically asked.

The airport, currently under TSA security supervision ranks 11th for thefts by security screeners. Kruppenbacher described that as “unacceptable”, and raised the possibility of evicting the TSA.

“I could care less about the politics of this. All I care about is seeing those customers smiling, saying I love the airport, and I love Orlando, and we are going to do that.” Kruppenbacher said.

The Chairman said that members of the GOAA Board will make a decision based on a report due to be submitted in March 2013. If the TSA was deemed to fall outside of the required standards, the airport would then have to apply to be accepted for the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program, which enables airport authorities to opt out of using TSA workers, and instead use private operators to screen passengers, using federal standards and oversight.

Scores of airports throughout the country have already applied to evict the TSA, following the recent passage of a law by the Senate forcing the TSA to reconsider applications after it arbitrarily suspended the SPP program in 2010.

Second Orlando Airport Could Evict TSA

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