Facilities Can Apply Starting Friday

The TSA Wednesday announced that the agency is ready to accept applications from commercial airports that wish to participate in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). This option will allow participants to choose security screeners employed by qualified private companies while maintaining TSA standards and government oversight.

Under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), which created TSA in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, November 19, 2004 is the first day airports may apply to join the program.

TSA assumed responsibility for aviation security in February 2002 and hired a federal work force to screen all passengers and baggage by the end of that year except at five airports that were allowed to have contract screeners under a pilot program. ATSA allows airport operators to apply to have screening performed by a contractor with federal oversight after the pilot program expires on November 18, 2004.

"This is an important local decision and we’re ready to work with any airport that prefers to have contractor screeners," said Rear Adm. David M. Stone, USN (Ret.), Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for TSA. "An important objective is maintaining the same high level of security at any airport that seeks to 'opt-out' of federal screening, and TSA is prepared to make that guarantee."

FMI: www.tsa.gov