Under President Donald Trump, the Transportation Security Administration is seeking to replace federal TSA screeners with private contractors in more airport security lines.
Twenty US airports already use private screeners through the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program, or SPP, which launched in 2004 and operates under TSA oversight. Eight are Montana airports, including several small regional ones served by Cape Air, though San Francisco — one of the US’ busiest airports — is also on the list.
The operational difference became especially apparent during the two government shutdowns in 2025 and 2026. TSA staffing shortages due to missed paychecks created airport chaos and hourslong wait times at airports like Houston Hobby and Atlanta; travelers in San Francisco waited just minutes.
After scrapping its recently introduced TSA Gold+ program — which sought to expand private airport security screening under federal oversight but faced union opposition — the TSA announced a new strategy, Horizon 25, on Monday.
Named in recognition of the TSA’s 25th anniversary, the agency said the initiative aims to “accelerate public-private partnerships” through an evolved SPP, modernize TSA checkpoints, and enhance TSA PreCheck.
The broader privatization push has faced criticism from opponents, who argue that the competitive nature of such partnership programs could compromise aviation safety and worsen working conditions. White House officials, meanwhile, have said it would save money.
As the Trump administration pushes for more privatization of airport security, take a look at the airports across the US that haven’t had TSA screeners for years.
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