Chicago Officials Say City Should Privatize Airport Security

By Lauren Chooljian
A long line of travelers wait for the TSA security check point at O’Hare International airport, Monday, May 16, 2016, in Chicago. Already faced with lines that snake through terminals out to the curb, fliers are bracing for long waits at security in the busy months of July and August. Some major airports are currently seeing wait times exceeding 90 minutes at peak hours.
A long line of travelers wait for the TSA security check point at O'Hare International airport on Monday. Already faced with lines that snake through terminals out to the curb, fliers are bracing for long waits at security in the busy months of July and August. Teresa Crawford / AP Photo
A long line of travelers wait for the TSA security check point at O’Hare International airport, Monday, May 16, 2016, in Chicago. Already faced with lines that snake through terminals out to the curb, fliers are bracing for long waits at security in the busy months of July and August. Some major airports are currently seeing wait times exceeding 90 minutes at peak hours.
A long line of travelers wait for the TSA security check point at O'Hare International airport on Monday. Already faced with lines that snake through terminals out to the curb, fliers are bracing for long waits at security in the busy months of July and August. Teresa Crawford / AP Photo

Chicago Officials Say City Should Privatize Airport Security

By Lauren Chooljian
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CHICAGO (AP) — Four Chicago aldermen are suggesting the city should privatize security at O’Hare and Midway airports after recent extremely long waits to get through security.

The aldermen said in a news release Wednesday that the Transportation Safety Administration has failed to retain sufficient personnel. They say the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program allows airports to use qualified private contractors to screen passengers and baggage under federal oversight.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said the situation is unacceptable, but that the TSA is responsible for airport security and must handle the issue.

The TSA said Tuesday it was sending 58 new security officers and four more bomb-sniffing dog teams to O’Hare.

Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has demanded the TSA administrator resign if delays at O’Hare and Midway aren’t resolved by Memorial Day.