There’s been a lot of discussion lately about removing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and replacing them with private security. A committee from the airport has now recommended to keep the TSA officers, but to have them meet set guidelines of performance standards. Included in these is getting passengers moved through the security lines in as little as six minutes. MCO is the second busiest airport in the state and in a normal day, the TSA can screen 50,000 travelers and 38,000 checked bags.
Dean Asher, who was a member of the committee, said, “I think this is a good middle ground. It will be up for discussion at another time.”
The committee’s recommendation will be sent to the airport board for their mid-April meeting, where they will make the final decision.
Jerry Henderson, who heads up the 1,200-member Orlando TSA, says, “I don’t foresee it being a problem. We’re committed to providing the most efficient service in the most courteous way.”
Since the committee began meeting nearly two years ago, the average security line wait time has ranged from five to ten minutes. In July 2013 during a busy time, the average was 26 minutes. They have also begun using dogs trained to sniff large groups at a time, which eliminates the need to take off shoes, belts and jackets. The Precheck program has been expanded, allowing certain passengers to move to a faster line.
U.S. Rep. John Mica, of Winter Park, is behind the question of privatization. He feels that the TSA has become too bureaucratic and would like them to focus more on intelligence gathering, rather than security lines.
U.S. Reps. Alan Grayson, of Orlando, and Corrine Brown, of Jacksonville, opposes Mica’s plan and believes the TSA is doing a good job and keeping the airport’s reputation positive.
News source/photo credit: Orlando Sentinel
