Some Florida airports avoid TSA shutdown chaos by using private screeners

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK) — While long TSA lines are building at some airports across the country during the government shutdown, that’s not the case everywhere.

At Punta Gorda Airport, passengers are still moving through security quickly and some say they feel lucky.

Norman Sanders, a traveler, called the airport a “gem" on Tuesday, saying it’s “easy access in and out.

“This is wonderful," Sanders said. "I absolutely am very impressed."

Unlike most airports, including Southwest Florida International Airport, Punta Gorda uses private screening contractors instead of federally employed TSA officers. It’s part of what’s called the Screening Partnership Program.

Passengers may not even notice the difference. Screeners are still held to the same federal standards and procedures as TSA officers.

But there is one key difference during a shutdown or partial shutdown: private screeners are paid through contracts, meaning they continue working, even as TSA agents go without pay.

James Parish, the Punta Gorda Airport CEO, told WINK News the switch came at no extra cost to taxpayers and has helped the airport avoid disruptions.

"It's actually a little bit cheaper," Parish said. "I will tell you, about 95% of our TSA screeners stayed with the partner program, so they are here still; same people. People are happier, and especially when they're getting paid. We haven't been affected by the federal shutdowns ever."

Dan Bubb, a former airline pilot and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, says some people believe the system comes with tradeoffs.

“A lot of it depends on the contract itself, how much private contractors are willing to pay,” Bubb said.

He also noted a key difference for workers.

“If there’s a problem, they don’t have anybody to really advocate for them,” he said.

Bubb said there is no union representation, like TSA has, but overall, the system appears to be working.

“We may see more airports go that way,” he said.

Still, a switch isn’t on the table locally for RSW.

The Lee County Port Authority told WINK News that moving to private screening has not been considered for RSW. Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass said there is “no need for the program.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has voiced support for privatizing TSA and giving airports more control.

For now, most airports, including RSW, continue to rely on TSA.