Airports like San Francisco International, Kansas City International, Orlando Sanford, and 17 smaller facilities participate in TSA’s Screening Partnership Program which uses contractors at the checkpoints.

The private companies have avoided the large-scale absences some airports that use TSA staff are struggling with right now during the partial government shutdown.

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“All operations at the privatized airports are normal because we continue paying our employees during the shutdown,” said Nat Carmack of BOS Security, which screens passengers at Tupelo Regional Airport in Mississippi. “Our employees have never missed a paycheck during any of the government shutdowns.”

Carmack said while employees are getting paid, the company will have to cover the expense while it waits for the government to reopen and pay its bills.

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All private airport security operations remain under federal oversight and must comply with the same rules TSA agents follow. The companies do get to decide how many people to hire and what to pay them.

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Airports experiencing problems with TSA staff not showing up during this current shutdown can’t simply call a contractor and bring in private employees within a few days.

For an airport to implement private screening, it must first get permission from TSA. If approved, a contract could be issued within a year. TSA would select the company that could take over within six months, according to BOS Security.

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AFGE, the union which represents TSA screeners, says contracts, usually awarded to the lowest bidder, compromise the safety of the traveling public, incentivize companies to prioritize profit over passengers or employees, and actually cause staff shortages.

They also note that prior to the September 11, 2001, terror attack all airport security in the United States was operated by private companies.

Jacobson, the professor who studies aviation security systems, thinks of privatizing more of like a “partnership.” He points to NAV CANADA, which has operated Canada’s air traffic control system since it privatized in 1996.