Airport officials drop petition to privatize TSA screening duties
The Transportation Security Administration checkpoint inside Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in March 2023. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
State airport officials Friday withdrew a petition filed a week ago to join the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Screening Partnership Program, a move that could have shifted passenger screening at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport to a private contractor.
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) said the decision was made after observing 'significantly enhanced performance at the checkpoint' in recent weeks.
Airport officials filed the application on April 25 at the recommendation of Virginia-based consultant Studdiford Technical Solutions after RIAC raised concerns about long checkpoint lines during early morning travel last October.
Airport officials consider privatizing TSA screening duties at T.F. Green
Airport spokesperson Bill Fischer said the TSA has since worked to improve wait times at each of the seven lanes within the federal checkpoint.
'Improved wait times, particularly in recent days, have alleviated concerns raised by the airlines and the passengers back in the fall of 2024,' Fischer said in a statement. 'RIAC was pleased to witness that the early morning lines that spilled out of the terminal in November are now mostly contained inside the checkpoint — a marked improvement.'
TSA spokesperson Daniel Velez said the federal agency tries to reduce wait times by adjusting staffing levels during peak hours and high-travel seasons, along with opening additional lanes or redirecting passengers to less congested checkpoints.
Velez declined to comment on RIAC's decision to drop its petition.
The longest wait time in the last month was at 27 minutes, according to TSA data obtained by Rhode Island Current. The average maximum wait travelers experienced in April was 10 minutes.
Fischer said airport officials will continue to track wait times, noting an inspection conducted between 4 and 6 a.m. Friday saw roughly 400 travelers go through the checkpoint without any backups.
'RIAC has been singularly focused on one objective: reasonable wait times at PVD's checkpoint,' he said.
RIAC's initial consideration to privatize TSA duties drew quick opposition from union leaders and Rhode Island's congressional delegation.
'Success,' responded the head of the union representing New England's TSA officers after being told RIAC had rescinded its petition.
'Their initial decision to go private was ill-advised,' Mike Gayzagian, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2617 headquartered in Boston, said in an interview.
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said RIAC made the right move in leaving screening duties with the TSA.
'Putting people and the traveling public first must be job one at any top-notch airport,' he said in a statement. ' I know the people who work at TSA are committed to being efficient, effective, courteous, and professional and will continue to serve at these high standards.'
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