Atlanta councilmember proposes study of private airport security to avoid shutdown delays

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — An Atlanta City councilmember is proposing legislation to study whether private security could replace TSA workers for security screenings at the world’s busiest airport.

The proposal follows hours-long security screening lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in March, when many TSA workers were off their posts due to a partial government shutdown.

Throughout the month, on especially busy mornings, lines wrapped inside and outside the airport.

Atlanta City Councilmember Byron Amos said the goal is to prevent government shutdowns or political disputes from stalling airport operations.

“It’s always important for our leaders in this city and at the airport level to find new ways to help our number one goal, which is our passengers,” Amos said.

Councilmember cites San Francisco model

Amos said the benefit would be avoiding long lines when the government does not pay TSA agents.

“Normally (TSA workers) don’t come to work. They don’t perform the duties they’re hired to do. So lines back up and when we see the accidents that we’ve seen the last couple of weeks,” Amos said.

San Francisco’s airport already has a similar program in place where private security is used under the guidance of TSA officials.

Amos said if Atlanta privatizes security screenings, the city will have to pay for it and it will have to be robust enough to handle the crowds.

The airport is preparing to welcome more than 8.3 million passengers in April. With spring break underway, Friday was expected to be the busiest travel day of the month. Airport officials announced it anticipated 94,487 security screenings on Friday. The airport’s single-day record is 114,000 set in May 2025.

Airport staff said many TSA workers were back working compared to mid-March.

Travelers on Friday also noticed improvements.

“So much better. Three weeks ago, I couldn’t even see my way to the TSA, so today, I’m just amazed at how quickly we’re going to get through,” one traveler said.

The airport is advising passengers to arrive at least 2.5 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international departures.

TSA union raises concerns

Amos used to work in security compliance and enforcement at the airport. He said he is already getting concerns about the proposal from the TSA union.

The union did not respond to a request for comment.

Amos said city leaders need to ensure the Atlanta airport and those that pass through it keep moving forward.

“We’re only looking at this right now to see if it’s even feasible to get it done,” Amos said.

Amos plans to officially introduce the legislation on April 20.