A city of Phoenix memo reveals passengers who face private screeners at San Francisco’s airport are experiencing similar wait times as passengers who face TSA screeners at Sky Harbor Airport.
The internal memo from the city’s Aviation Director lists staffing flexibility, good customer service and potential human resource efficiencies among the advantages of using private contractors.
The list of disadvantages includes the public’s unrealistic expectations when it comes to wait times, the time to implement the private process-– it would take at least 18 months-- and significant uncertainty because no large international hub has ever transitioned from a federalized workforce to the private model.
The TSA blames long security lines on more people flying, more passengers carrying on bags, and the agency not having enough workers. TSA plans to hire more than 750 officers this month.
Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, who supports privatization, said, "The long wait lines, people missing flights, lost luggage and hours of waiting in line are not acceptable. I have pushed for this change and look forward to improving our customer service at Sky Harbor."
A Sky Harbor spokeswoman tells KJZZ there is no timetable on making a decision and they continue to evaluate all options to improve the situation.
