Under President Donald Trump, the Transportation Security Administration is seeking to replace federal TSA screeners with private contractors in more airport security lines.
Twenty US airports already use private screeners through the TSA's Screening Partnership Program, or SPP, which launched in 2004 and operates under TSA oversight. Eight are Montana airports, including several small regional ones served by Cape Air, though San Francisco — one of the US' busiest airports — is also on the list.
The operational difference became especially apparent during the two government shutdowns in 2025 and 2026. TSA staffing shortages due to missed paychecks created airport chaos and hourslong wait times at airports like Houston Hobby and Atlanta; travelers in San Francisco waited just minutes.
After scrapping its recently introduced TSA Gold+ program — which sought to expand private airport security screening under federal oversight but faced union opposition — the TSA announced a new strategy, Horizon 25 , on Monday.
Named in recognition of the TSA's 25th anniversary, the agency said the initiative aims to "accelerate public-private partnerships" through an evolved SPP, modernize TSA checkpoints, and enhance TSA PreCheck.
The broader privatization push has faced criticism from opponents, who argue that the competitive nature of such partnership programs could compromise aviation safety and worsen working conditions. White House officials, meanwhile, have said it would save money.
As the Trump administration pushes for more privatization of airport security, take a look at the airports across the US that haven't had TSA screeners for years.
Atlantic City International Airport — Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
A view of the exterior of the Atlantic City International Airport located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport — Santa Rosa, California
The entrance to the TSA security checkpoint and gate area at tiny Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, California. Avelo Airlines began service from the airport in 2021. Sonoma County Airport USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Dawson Community Airport — Glendive, Montana
A Cessna 402 light twin, piston engine aircraft operating for Cape Air - Hyannis Air Service airline as seen landing at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport JFK in NY. The airplane is a 402C and has the registration N26156. November 14 2019, NY, USA Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Great Falls International Airport — Great Falls, Montana
Belview neighborhood of Great Falls and the Great Falls International Airport seen from south of Great Falls. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Glacier Park International Airport — Kalispell, Montana
Kalispell, Montana. Cavan Images / Michael Okimoto/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF
Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport — Rochester, New York
Rochester International Airport. Business Wire
Havre City-County Airport — Havre, Montana
HAVRE, MT. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2005 - Story about race relations between native americans and whites in the northern Montana town of Havre. An article on racism in Havre written by a University of Montana journalism student has put the town of 10,000 into the spotlight. The article appeared in three major newspapers in Montana. The main drag is First Street in Havre during the quiet morning hours.The town is the largest city between the Rocky Boy's Reservation and the Fort Belknap Reservation. (DENVER POST PHOTO BY CYRUS MCCRIMMON cell: 303 358 9990, home 303 370 1054) Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Kansas City International Airport — Kansas City, Missouri
A sign at the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) entrance, Friday, April 28, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Image of Sport/Sipa USA
L. M. Clayton Airport — Wolf Point, Montana
Scenery along highway 2 at Wolf Point, Montana. Posnov/Getty Images
Orlando Sanford International Airport — Sanford, Florida
Sanford, FL USA - May 13, 2021: People waiting in the gate area to board a planes at the Sanford International Airport in Sanford, Florida with informational signs overhead pointing to gates and baggage claim. Joni Hanebutt/Getty Images
Portsmouth International Airport — Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth International Airport at Pease sees an estimated 70,000-plus flights per year, according to officials. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Punta Gorda Airport — Punta Gorda, Florida
An Allegiant plane at Punta Gorda Airport. csfotoimages/Getty Images
Roswell Air Center — Roswell, New Mexico
Farms are seen as Air Force One approaches Roswell International Air Center June 17, 2016 in Roswell, New Mexico. / AFP / Brendan Smialowski BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
San Francisco International Airport — San Francisco, California
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 23: A view of International Terminal at (SFO) San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, United States on March 23, 2026. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport — Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in Sarasota, Florida, U.S., on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. Airline losses from the coronavirus pandemic are set to surpass $200 billion as travel curbs weigh on corporate and long-haul demand well into 2022, according to the industrys main lobby. Photographer: Zack Wittman/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport — Sidney, Montana
TSATrumpDavid Paul MorrisBloombergGetty Images ThereGoldUnder President Donald TrumpTransportation Security AdministrationTwenty USThereTSA's Screening Partnership ProgramSPP
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