Legal Commentary

Opting for TSA Alternatives

By Jonathan H. Adler

The Washington Post reports that more airports are considering whether to hire private contractors to replace TSA personnel for airport security.  Such a shift would not alter the screening protocols ? these requriements are imposed by federal regulations independent of whether TSA personnel man the security checkpoints ? but could alter the efficiency and attitude with which screening is conducted.

For airports, the change isn?t about money. At issue, airport managers and security experts say, is the unwieldy size and bureaucracy of the federal aviation security system. Private firms may be able to do the job more efficiently and with a personal touch, they argue.

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on December 31, 2010 (boomark / email).