Why US airport security remains broken despite funding fixes

Airport security in the US remains troubled, despite Congress ending a recent funding crisis. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) still struggles with inefficiencies that disrupt passengers and expose deeper flaws in the system. Experts argue that structural reforms—not just funding—are needed to fix long-standing problems. The TSA’s Screening Partnership Program (SPP) currently lets airports replace federal screeners with private contractors. But the opt-in process discourages participation, leaving most airports under federal control. A shift to an opt-out model would make private screening the default, forcing airports to justify staying with federal staff.

Other countries routinely use privatised screening without compromising safety. Decentralising contractor selection—moving it from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to local airport authorities—could improve accountability. Airports would then pick providers based on performance rather than federal mandates.

Better transparency through standardised reporting on wait times, screening errors, and passenger feedback could also push the TSA to improve. Recent disruptions show that even without funding gaps, the system struggles under pressure and in normal operations. Privatisation is seen as the clearest way to align security incentives with efficiency. But shorter-term fixes—like SPP reforms, greater airport control, and clearer performance tracking—could reduce delays and improve reliability. Passengers, meanwhile, keep bearing the cost of a system that resists change.