There continues to be discussion over the technologies, procedures and screening professionals at airports. Here are perceptive observations of an executive from the inside.
The recent controversy of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) increased use of passenger pat downs and full body image scanning has re-ignited the rhetoric around privatization of TSA screeners at U.S. airports. This increased scrutiny comes at a time when many travelers, lawmakers, privacy advocates and the general public are already voicing criticism of the TSA’s reliance on screening methods that many characterize as overly aggressive and a violation of privacy.
To complicate matters, U.S. representative John Mica, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, recently sent a letter to a number of airport executives urging them to “opt-out” of the TSA-run passenger and baggage screening process. While the Congressman did not address the controversy surrounding the full body scanners or the pat down in his letter, he did voice a concern about the size of the TSA. More importantly, Congressman Mica indirectly argued for airports to remove TSA agents and hire private companies to screen airport passengers and baggage.