The Pros And Cons Of The TSA
The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has many issues and has caused many problems. Some people are saying that the only way to fix these problems that the TSA created is to privatize airport security. The TSA was created when congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. Their main focus was to keep anything that could be used as a weapon off of airplanes. Over the years the TSA has banned various items and has added new security procedures, such as taking off shoes. As a result of this, the lines have gotten drastically longer and and people are getting upset because they are missing their flights. Also, because of the cookie cutter type of security, it leaves little room for the TSA to change and adapt to new
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A competitive market is a positive thing because when one company has a good idea or process then other companies tend to adopt that idea. This is why a old luxury car will have less components than a new cheap car today. Another benefit to a market based system is that it allows the freedom for different contractors to change and adapt to new threats. This is better the the government's “one-best-way” type of security because when a new threat appears it will not take as long to to change or add security measures and therefore address the threat more quickly. It also allows the freedom of choice for the airports. If the airports have the option to pick among multiple different contractors they will be able to find one that suites all of their needs and provides the best service. Some people may claim because these contractors are not government funded they could go bankrupt. This is true but highly unlikely because every time a plane ticket is purchased there is a $5.60 security fee that goes with it. In 2016 the TSA collected over 3.6 billion dollars in these security fees. Even if this number is cut in half it still would be enough money to run airport security. A way that airports can support the privatization of airport security is by signing onto the TSA’s SPP, which will allow airports to hire private contractors. The only downside is that these contractors still have to follow the strict TSA guidelines, but it is still a step in the right direction. As hard as the TSA tries, they will never be able to keep up with the fast-paced way of a market based
A competitive market is a positive thing because when one company has a good idea or process then other companies tend to adopt that idea. This is why a old luxury car will have less components than a new cheap car today. Another benefit to a market based system is that it allows the freedom for different contractors to change and adapt to new threats. This is better the the government's “one-best-way” type of security because when a new threat appears it will not take as long to to change or add security measures and therefore address the threat more quickly. It also allows the freedom of choice for the airports. If the airports have the option to pick among multiple different contractors they will be able to find one that suites all of their needs and provides the best service. Some people may claim because these contractors are not government funded they could go bankrupt. This is true but highly unlikely because every time a plane ticket is purchased there is a $5.60 security fee that goes with it. In 2016 the TSA collected over 3.6 billion dollars in these security fees. Even if this number is cut in half it still would be enough money to run airport security. A way that airports can support the privatization of airport security is by signing onto the TSA’s SPP, which will allow airports to hire private contractors. The only downside is that these contractors still have to follow the strict TSA guidelines, but it is still a step in the right direction. As hard as the TSA tries, they will never be able to keep up with the fast-paced way of a market based