These 20 US airports don't use TSA screeners — and Trump wants more to go private

Under President Donald Trump, the Transportation Security Administration is seeking to switch national TSA screeners pinch backstage contractors successful much airdrome information lines.

Twenty US airports already usage backstage screeners done the TSA's Screening Partnership Program, aliases SPP, which launched successful 2004 and operates nether TSA oversight. Eight are Montana airports, including respective mini location ones served by Cape Air, though San Francisco — 1 of the US' busiest airports — is besides connected the list.

The operational quality became particularly evident during the 2 authorities shutdowns successful 2025 and 2026. TSA staffing shortages owed to missed paychecks created airdrome chaos and hourslong hold times astatine airports for illustration Houston Hobby and Atlanta; travelers successful San Francisco waited conscionable minutes.

After scrapping its precocious introduced TSA Gold+ program — which sought to grow backstage airdrome information screening nether national oversight but faced national guidance — the TSA announced a caller strategy, Horizon 25, connected Monday.

Named successful nickname of the TSA's 25th anniversary, the agency said the inaugural intends to "accelerate public-private partnerships" done an evolved SPP, modernize TSA checkpoints, and heighten TSA PreCheck.

The broader privatization push has faced disapproval from opponents, who reason that the competitory quality of specified business programs could discuss aviation information and worsen moving conditions. White House officials, meanwhile, person said it would prevention money.

As the Trump management pushes for much privatization of airdrome security, return a look astatine the airports crossed the US that haven't had TSA screeners for years.