Why some US airports are dodging TSA shutdown chaos while others grind to a halt

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Long security lines and staffing shortages have disrupted travel at major US airports during thepartial government shutdown— but a small group of hubs is largely avoiding the chaos because they rely on private screening contractors instead of federally employed TSA officers.

At least 20 airports across the country participate in the Transportation Security Administration’s Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which was founded in 2004 and allows private companies to conduct security screening under TSA oversight,Business Insider reportedthis week.

Travelers may not even notice the difference, since private screeners are held to the same federal standards as TSA officers.

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“With private screening, employees still have to be trained and follow the same federal security standards as TSA,�

While many airports face long lines and staffing shortages, others using private screening programs have remained less affected.( Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

One key difference is that airports using private contractors have reported fewer disruptions tied to the shutdown.Because private screeners are paid through pre-funded federal contracts, they are not impacted in the same way as TSA workers.

SPP hubs include San Francisco International Airport (SFO) andKansas City International Airport (MCI), as well as smaller regional airports such as Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida and multiplelocations across Montana.

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“Our screeners have continued to get paid throughout this government shutdown,” Doug Yakel, a

TSA agents screening passengers at airport security checkpoint with travelers in line and luggage scanners in a busy terminal.

Differences between TSA staffing and private screening models have become more visible during recent government shutdowns.

The ongoing disruptions come as the TSA reports national call-out rates of more than 10%, with over 360 officers having quit during the shutdown tied to a funding standoff over the Department of Homeland Security, Read More → How to protect a loved one’s identity after death

Private airport screeners continue to receive pay during the shutdown, while TSA officers are working without pay.(Valerie Plesch/Getty Images)

“In some ways,airports are experimentingwith private screening programs to see what works best,” he said, adding, “I wouldn’t be surprised if more airports move toward private screening to avoid these kinds of situations.”

Critics, including labor groups, however, argue that privatization could undermine safety and accountability.

May 2025 blog postfrom the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents federal workers, including TSA officers.

Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, US, on Monday, March 9, 2026. Airports in the US are reporting longer-than-normal wait times in security lines, as Transportation Security Administration agents are poised to miss their first full paycheck this week. Photographer: Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Some airports are seeing smoother operations during the shutdown due to the use of privately contracted security screeners.(Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The AFGE also argues that private screening companies are just in the business to make money.“Their main concern is profit, not the security of the flying public or the well-being of workers, both of which are integrally linked,” the group said in its post.

Beyond the policy debate, Bubb highlighted the impact on frontline workers.

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“Travelers should remember that TSA agents are essentiallyworking without payduring a shutdown,” he said.

He urged passengers to stay patient and called on Congress to reach at least a temporary solution.

Travelers are being urged to remain patient as TSA call-outs and staffing shortages continue during the shutdown.(Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“If everybody can just work together, be patient and be kind to each other, this will go better,” he added.

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In the meantime, Elon Musk even offered to pay TSA workers’ salaries during the funding impasse, though it remains unclear whether that would be legally possible.

�s Ashley J.DiMella and Michael Dorgan contributed reporting.