Posted on 11/18/2010 5:11:35 AM PST by NRG1973
The backlash continues over those new TSA screening measures, and now one Central Florida airport has decided to go with a private security screening firm.
Orlando Sanford International Airport has decided to opt out from TSA screening.
"All of our due diligence shows it's the way to go," said Larry Dale, the director of the Sanford Airport Authority. "You're going to get better service at a better price and more accountability and better customer service."
Dale says he will be sending a letter requesting to opt out from TSA screening, and instead the airport will choose one of the five approved private screening companies to take over.
Congressman John Mica, who's expected to lead the powerful Transportation Committee next year, says the TSA is crying out for reform.
"I think TSA is overstepping its bounds," said Mica.
Dale says, if all goes as planned, the private security firm could take over in about 12 months.
SFB is not MCO
Many on this thread would do well to understand the difference.
Very timely discussion:
TSA employees can vote on union representation, labor board rules- 11/15/2010
Anybody think the new sexual assault policies & procedures are coincidental to a union vote? If so, there's a really spiffy bridge in Brooklyn for sale...
Don’t expect TSA to accept this revolt lying down. Watch for them to treat flights from Sanford as “international” and bus the passengers to the front of the airport and make them go through TSA security. This is going to get messy.
I doubt a significant amount of Disney traffic goes through Sanford. Orlando (MCO - the old McCoy AFB for those curious about the MCO) handles the bulk of the visitors to the area. Sanford is a small regional airport off to the NE of the city while the attractions are to the SW.
IMHO this is not a good test case because of the small number of flights and the relative ease in which TSA will treat them as unscreened. It would be better if a major airport went first.
It is good news. Orlando fights the machine today - tomorrow it might be Tampa...
It is good news. Orlando fights the machine today. Tomorrow it might be Tampa... a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step forward.
Hopefully, but would not a private contractor have to follow the latest regs and policies issued by Homeland Security? A grope is still a grope whether or not it is a socialist one or a for profit one.
It just makes more common sense to profile. If one demographic is perpetrating 98% of the problems, who do you focus on, the general public?
You touched on another important issue IMO. The person I mentioned commenting on the new measures and what would be better, also mentioned that trial runs by in-house security trying to test security teams are regularly getting things past the inspections.
These levels of personal invasion are not effective. If someone wants to get something through, they’ll do it.
We must stop this and start being more intelligent about our efforts.
“Can they do this?”
Yes they CAN, and it might not hurt if we all contacted airports in our vicinity, and got them to do the same, or even call a local talk show, or write a letter to the editor so your neighbors will contact the airport.
The private companies might use the same methods, but I’m sure they would be far more apt to use it on high-risk travelers than small children and grannies.
One would hope. Just remember, they have to follow the same mandates handed down to the TSA lackeys. What latitude is left for choices, I don’t know.
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