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
Atlantic City International Airport. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport — Santa Rosa, California
Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Great Falls International Airport — Great Falls, Montana
Great Falls International Airport. 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
Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport Business Wire
Havre City-County Airport — Havre, Montana
Havre, Montana. Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Kansas City International Airport — Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City International Airport. Image of Sport/Sipa USA
L. M. Clayton Airport — Wolf Point, Montana
Wolf Point, Montana. Posnov/Getty Images
Orlando Sanford International Airport — Sanford, Florida
Orlando Sanford International Airport. Joni Hanebutt/Getty Images
Portsmouth International Airport — Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth International Airport. 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
Roswell Air Center. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
San Francisco International Airport — San Francisco, California
San Francisco International Airport. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport — Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Zack Wittman/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport — Sidney, Montana
Sidney, Montana. Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Sioux Falls Regional Airport — Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Regional Airport. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Tupelo Regional Airport — Tupelo, Mississippi
The crowd looks on as Air Force One, with President Donald Trump onboard, lands ahead of a rally at the Tupelo Regional Airport. Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Wokal Field/Glasgow Valley Airport — Glasgow, Montana
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