Why It Matters
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will continue using Transportation Security Administration agents after a study found private security was unnecessary. The review also found no expected savings or screening improvement for Atlanta.
What Happened
The Atlanta City Council commissioned a feasibility study in May to examine whether the airport could use a TSA program allowing private security vendors. After three months, the study concluded that private contractors would not save the city money or improve screening.
The study also found that the program had not been used at an airport the size of Hartsfield-Jackson. Private contractors depend on TSA reimbursement during a government shutdown, creating payment concerns when federal operations are disrupted.
Tom Nissalke, assistant general manager of planning and development at Hartsfield-Jackson, said vendors were not paid because staff were unavailable to process invoices.
By the Numbers
76-day — duration of the partial government shutdown in February
three-month — duration of the feasibility study
May — month when the Atlanta City Council commissioned the study
February — month when the partial government shutdown occurred
Zoom Out
Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan raised concerns about future shutdowns and employee absenteeism. Airport leaders, the local union and Delta are among the stakeholders connected to the issue.
What’s Next
Atlanta leaders are lobbying Congress to support bills addressing TSA staff pay during future shutdowns. Airport General Manager Ricky Smith said, “It’s not something the Department of Aviation can fix alone.”