Sanford Airport Wants Private Companies to Screen Passengers
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
By: Matthew Peddie

Orlando Sanford International Airport hopes new federal aviation reforms will allow it contract with private security firms instead of using the Federal Transportation Security Adminstration. The airport's president says the move would save taxpayers money and give Sanford more control over security.

The newly implemented FAA modernization and reform act includes provisions which should make it easier for airports to opt out of all-federal transportation screening.

Airports will get to choose who screens their passengers- but security firms would still have to meet federal approval and operate screening under TSA guidelines.

Currently 16 of the nation's airports have opted out of all-federal security screening. Orlando Sanford applied to opt out but was turned down by the Transportation Security Administration last year.

The airport's president Larry Dale says turning security over to a private firm is about more than just saving money.

“We’re already responsible for security here. If things screw up we get the blame. We want to have a part and a say in the security of this airport.”

Sanford could hire its own agents to run security screening, but it’s more likely to contract with a private firm.

“We’re not going to go out and do it ourselves like Jackson Hole (Wyoming) does, as a much smaller airport,” Dale says.

Sanford has reapplied to opt out of all-federal security screening, and Dale says he hopes to have an answer from the TSA within months.