(Orlando) Sanford Airport to opt out of TSA screening

[sabra]

Source: wdbo

The backlash continues over those new TSA screening measures, and now one Central Florida airport has decided to go with a private security screening firm.

Orlando Sanford International Airport has decided to opt out from TSA screening.

"All of our due diligence shows it's the way to go," said Larry Dale, the director of the Sanford Airport Authority. "You're going to get better service at a better price and more accountability and better customer service."

Dale says he will be sending a letter requesting to opt out from TSA screening, and instead the airport will choose one of the five approved private screening companies to take over.

Congressman John Mica, who's expected to lead the powerful Transportation Committee next year, says the TSA is crying out for reform.

"I think TSA is overstepping its bounds," said Mica.

Read more: http://wdbo.com/localnews/2010/11/sanford-airport-to-opt-out-of.html

[marmar]

1. Doesn't that airport largely serve charter flights?

nt

[Mojorabbit]

2. It is a very small airport. nt

[DrDan]

4. it also serves some smaller carriers - Allegiant for example

[Roland99]

10. Yeah...and it figures Allegiant is moving all operations BACK to Sanford from Orlando in Feb. 2011

and my mom flies in the 1st week of Feb.

I used to live 10 min. from Sanford airport...now I'm about 45. oh well.. :)

[DrDan]

12. Glad to see this - I am only about 30 minutes from Sanford - in Port Orange

and sooooooo much easier than MCO.

I used to travel a lot - every other week at least - and lived in Longwood.

I would drive to Daytona Beach so I could avoid MCO - and could still get to the gate faster.

[Roland99]

14. Oh yeah...it's faster in and out so I guess that'll make up for the extra drive for me.

:)

I used to be in Lake Mary. Now I'm in Winter Garden.

[DrDan]

16. I worked in Lake Mary for years . . .

My son went to a concert in Winter Garden last Friday (New River Bluegrass)- at the gazebo - had a great time. That area has sure changed - for the better. Not the best area when we moved in in the early '80s.

[Roland99]

17. Yeah...the downtown area doesn't seem too bad

I'm closer to Windermere than I am downtown Winter Garden.

I wish the Farmer's Market in downtown WG would expand...not real big.

[MineralMan]

3. Don't the private screening companies use the same techniques?

If they don't, passengers may find themselves going through screening before getting on connecting flights. I remember when they were doing that with some feeder airline passengers coming from airports that hadn't yet installed the full screening facilities, some years back. In fact, I remember having to go through a screening at LAX before connecting to another flight after I flew to LAX from the airport in San Luis Obispo, CA. Shortly after that, the screening at SBP was brought up to standards, and that ended.

The private companies are going to have to meet TSA screening standards, or you'll get screened before boarding your connecting flight.

[prettypenny]

13. re: don't the private screening companies use the same techniques?

There are a number of small airports around the country that
use private security companies for passenger screening. These
companies have to abide by TSA standards for screening.
I was interested in a job at Charles M. Schultz airport in
Santa Rosa, CA, but when I found out that I would have to go
through all the exact same training that TSA uses (including
retesting/recertification) every year, I changed my mind.
  
http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2010/11/16/dont-just-blame-the-tsa-blame-the-airports-that-dont-opt-out/

[MineralMan]

15. Ah, OK. Then the procedures would be just the same.

That's what I thought.

[haifa lootin]

20. Apparently the "opt-out" clause just changes the most peripheral nomenclature

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1774-full.html#203665

[liberal N proud]

5. TSA is on a power trip

Much like the SS was in Nazi Germany. Let them continue unchecked and they will surely prove that.

I can only speculate, but I would bet the private screening company will focus on profiling the passengers as they check-in. All it takes a short conversation and they profiler has more than they need to determine your motive for traveling.

[saigon68]

29. Napolitano loves to have you have your junk handled

[happygoluckytoyou]

6. just when i got a stack of $ones$ to tip my favorite groper... and now we opt OUT... damn

[seafan]

7. Republican John Mica (FL), soon to chair Transportation, is pushing privatization of airport groping

The groping and irradiating of passengers will continue, increasingly by individuals with shady, unaccountable histories. It's the Republican way.

Hey. maybe it would be a good prison detail.




Lawmaker To Airports: Do Away With TSA, November 16, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Central Florida lawmaker who helped to write the bill that created the Transportation Security Administration now says it might be time to do away with the government entity at airports.

Rep. John Mica is reminding airports across the country that they have a choice to opt out of using the TSA.

Mica will soon chair the House Transportation Committee. He has sent letters to more than 150 airports, including Orlando International Airport, suggesting that they dump TSA screeners and instead hire private security.

.....

The federal law that created the TSA gives airports the right to go with private screeners, as long as they continue to follow the Department of Homeland Security's rules and guidelines.

"As TSA has grown larger, more impersonal, and administratively top-heavy, I believe it is important that airports across the country consider utilizing the opt-out provision provided by law," Mica wrote in the letter.

(Orlando) Sanford Airport to opt out of TSA screening

November 18, 2010

.....

Orlando Sanford International Airport has decided to opt out from TSA screening.

"All of our due diligence shows it's the way to go," said Larry Dale, the director of the Sanford Airport Authority. "You're going to get better service at a better price and more accountability and better customer service."

Dale says he will be sending a letter requesting to opt out from TSA screening, and instead the airport will choose one of the five approved private screening companies to take over.

Congressman John Mica, who's expected to lead the powerful Transportation Committee next year, says the TSA is crying out for reform.

"I think TSA is overstepping its bounds," said Mica.

.....

The TSA points out that even if an airport decides to use a private firm for security, the screeners still must follow TSA guidelines. That would include using the full body scanners if they are installed at the airport.

Hey, Mr. Radical Republican, how is it that it's only the TSA that's "overstepping its bounds" when the private companies will be ***doing the SAME THING TO PASSENGERS***??




Will someone of the proper mix of intellect, courage and a will of steel please take charge?

[BadgerKid]

11. Public funding of privatized scanners?!

Sounds quintessentially Republican.

[bluestateguy]

8. Back to the incomptent twits at private security

They did such a wonderful job at intercepting the 9/11 hijackers.

[Psephos]

26. At least they can be fired. n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. Seminole County is always looking for ways to bring business into its airport.

They were big on the "sister city" concept in the nineties with big plans to tie in with other economic development organizations from other countries, encouraging them to come in through Sanford Airport and build a foothold in the County.

In order to achieve this goal, they did some very crooked things that backfired on everybody.

That said, I expected them to take advantage of this TSA mess. I think it is a valid one because no one wants to get abused, any worse than they already are in this country.

[harvey007]

18. It's because of Disneyland

Thousands of parents have told Disneyland and local hotels they won't fly to Orlando because they don't want their children to be forced to go through the naked body scanners or face molestation at the airport.

[haifa lootin]

19. Well, that airport is not the one that most airlines fly into.

It's more of a general aviation airport with just 2 or 3 airlines using it.

[Psephos]

25. Yet. n/t

[Roland99]

22. Sheesh...the cab fare from Anaheim to Orlando would be killer!

I think you meant Disneyworld. :)


As for your other statement, um, never seen the lines for the ticket counters for Southwest at MCO? More Disney bags than Samsonite.

[saigon68]

30. Every CROTCH GROPED one less vote for Obama

[anachro1]

21. Don't touch my junk, bro...

I have been laughing my ass off the past 48 hours over America's ridiculous overreaction (yet one more!) to the possibility of someone checking them for explosives.

Shouldn't these ignorant people stay put and never fly anywhere? I know that the world would be very thankful.

[Blasphemer]

23. Don't blame them....

I've had far better experiences at Sanford than at Orlando International. It's a small airport and operates efficiently. They'd be ruining a good thing by going with the new TSA.

[sarcasmo]

24. I love a good revolt.

[saigon68]

27. Feeling up old ladies Vaginas is a hard job

[tomhayes]

28. To be clear - they still use scanners and "enhanced" pat downs

But instead of TSA doing it it's a private firm doing it - to make a profit.

And that makes it seem better to you you - how??