Wednesday February 24, 2021
  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast
Versión Español
PanAm Post
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
PanAm Post
No Result
View All Result

Home » Summer Is the Season, Sanity the Reason to Privatize the TSA

Summer Is the Season, Sanity the Reason to Privatize the TSA

Matthew La Corte by Matthew La Corte
July 28, 2014

Tags: TSA
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterTelegramWhatsapp

EspañolSummer is known for family vacations, weekend getaways, and work outings. Last year, a survey found that 77 percent of Americans plan to take some sort of summer vacation. For the millions of Americans that fly to their destinations, summer also means dealing with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Created by the Bush Administration in the wake of 9/11, the TSA is responsible for overseeing nearly all US airports and conducts both passenger and baggage screening. Despite enjoying over 60,000 employees and a budget of more than US$8 billion, the TSA has failed to measurably improve airport security. Instead, it has wasted travelers’ time, encouraged would-be flyers to instead drive on dangerous highways, and gained a lingering reputation as the government agency that harasses grandma at the airport. For these reasons, it is time to privatize the TSA.

RelatedArticles

Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips

Trump Against Suppression of Human Rights

February 1, 2021
Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips

15 Republicans Who Voted Against Trump Are Already Facing the Consequences

February 1, 2021

If the TSA’s purpose is to provide security and detect terrorist activity, it has massively failed, as Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute demonstrates. In recent report, Edwards finds that a 2007 USA Today investigation discovered that private screeners at San Francisco International Airport had better detection ability than federals screeners at LAX.

Likewise, a 2012 study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) comparing 16 private-screening airports with federal-screening airports on four performance measures found that federal screeners performed better on some measures and private screeners performed better on others. Essentially, the result was a wash. This result mirrors the TSA’s own 2008 study comparing screening at private and federal airports and found performance to be similar. If investigators can’t determine significant differences between private and government screening, then should airport security really be a responsibility of the state?

The 2001 law that created the TSA also allowed some airports to opt out of its services and contract with private firms for security. Originally, five airports embraced the private option; now there are 17, with San Francisco being the largest. Also, federal rules require private screeners be trained to the same standards as federal screeners. However, it is not enough to analyze 17 US airports and conclude full privatization is a remedy. Looking outside the United States offers more clues to find the best way to conduct airport security. More than 80 percent of airports in Europe and Canada use private companies for both passenger and baggage screening.

Privatization enables the government to use precious resources for intelligence gathering, analysis, and investigation instead of airport security. It is a much better use of taxpayer funds, as airport security is one of the last lines of defense in the case of a terrorist attack.

Despite TSA’s costs to government budgets, privacy, and traveling time, there is no empirical evidence that suggests the agency accomplishes its intended goals. In fact, there have been over 25,000 security breaches in the TSA’s first decade alone.

It’s time to be honest about the state of US airline security. The TSA’s security theater undoubtedly dissuades some travelers from flying on airplanes and instead drive on more dangerous roads. Researchers at Cornell University have found that travelers switching from the skies to the roads has led to an increase of 242 driving deaths per month. The fact is that the TSA’s over-the-top security policies are killing travelers by pushing them away from airports.

The TSA can not demonstrate any considerable difference between their security and that of private companies. One former TSA administrator reported, “There’s no question the private sector can handle security.” This summer, it’s time to reflect on the real costs of the TSA and the false benefits they claim to provide. More lawmakers and think tanks are pushing the need for TSA reform. Passengers should fasten their seat belts, because privatization is about to take off.

Tags: TSA
Previous Post

Leopoldo López, Fellow Inmates “Brutally Beaten” by Intel Agents

Next Post

Aruba Releases Former Venezuelan Official, Alleged Drug Trafficker

Matthew La Corte

Matthew La Corte

Matthew La Corte is a Young Voices Advocate studying political science and economics at Hofstra University in New York City. Matthew also serves as a member of the North American Executive Board of the international nonprofit Students For Liberty. Follow @mattyernest.

Related Posts

Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips
Columnists

Trump Against Suppression of Human Rights

February 1, 2021
Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips
News

15 Republicans Who Voted Against Trump Are Already Facing the Consequences

February 1, 2021
Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips
Analysis

Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips

February 1, 2021
Three Key Moments to Remind Us That the UN Is a Nest of Oppressive Regimes
Analysis

Antiracist Baby: Netflix Series Loaded with Racially Indoctrinating Children

January 29, 2021
Three Key Moments to Remind Us That the UN Is a Nest of Oppressive Regimes
Asia

Chinese Regime Silences Relatives of COVID-19 Fatalities During WHO Visit

January 29, 2021
Three Key Moments to Remind Us That the UN Is a Nest of Oppressive Regimes
Analysis

Three Key Moments to Remind Us That the UN Is a Nest of Oppressive Regimes

January 29, 2021
Next Post
Peru and Honduras Drop Visa Requirements for Tourists

Aruba Releases Former Venezuelan Official, Alleged Drug Trafficker

Discussion about this post

Subscribe free and never miss another breaking story

  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast

© 2020 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact

© 2020 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy and Cookie Policy.