Washington, DC — Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement about the proposal to privatize security screening at the Orlando International Airport:
“The plan being considered by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) to privatize its security screening operations is shortsighted and misguided. Viewed generously, this is a solution in search of a problem. The GOAA website proudly claims that the Orlando International Airport is the “#1 ranked Mega-Airport for Customer Satisfaction,” and a recent Valencia College poll found that 90 percent of passengers were satisfied or very satisfied with their screening experience. Viewed more cynically, this is an attempt to enrich corporate special interests by outsourcing a core government security operation to the lowest bidder.
“TTD member unions include those in the aviation sector that depend on safe, secure and efficient passenger and cargo screening at our nation’s airports. We understand the crucial role that TSA screeners play in keeping our skies safe at Orlando International Airport and throughout our aviation system. The privatization plan put forth would do nothing to enhance safety or efficiency and we urge the GOAA Board to reject this misguided idea.”