A select group of US airports are bypassing the long TSA lines by using private security contractors.
As the partial government shutdown continues, travelers at many major US airports now face wait times of four to five hours at security checkpoints. However, a small number of airports – including San Francisco International and Kansas City International – have avoided this chaos by participating in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP).
The SPP is a federal initiative that allows airports to hire private companies to handle security screening instead of relying on TSA agents. While this program usually goes unnoticed, it has become a critical advantage during the shutdown.
The difference is stark : at San Francisco International, private contractors screened over two million passengers in the last 30 days, maintaining peak wait times under 10 minutes. This contrasts sharply with the hours-long delays experienced at TSA-staffed airports.
The program includes 17 smaller airports across states like Montana and Mississippi, offering a smooth travel experience while others struggle. As TSA agents call out due to unpaid work, SPP airports provide a reminder that alternative security models exist.
This situation highlights the potential benefits of private sector involvement in airport security, but also raises questions about why the program hasn’t been expanded more widely. For now, travelers in participating cities enjoy a clear advantage: minutes in line, not hours.
