When most travelers think about airport security in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration — better known as the TSA — comes to mind. But not every airport in the country relies on that federal agency to keep passengers safe.
Around 20 U.S. airports have chosen a different path, contracting with private security companies instead of using TSA officers to screen travelers and cargo.
Even so, these private firms are not operating outside the rules. They are still required to follow federal aviation safety standards, meaning passengers should expect the same level of screening regardless of which type of security is in place at a given airport.
The existence of this two-track system — federal TSA screeners at most airports and private contractors at others — highlights an often-overlooked aspect of how air travel security is managed across the country.
