2 TSA experiments show a new direction after chaos during the government shutdowns

• The TSA is testing off-site screening and private security after two government shutdowns.
• These signal the Trump Administration’s broader leverage of private companies in aviation.
• Critics warn that privatization could introduce new security risks.

For instance, if the bus were involved in an accident or someone aboard got sick, that could compromise security and require a rescreening, which could cause travelers to miss their flight.

“I don’t see the motivation in terms of convenience; people still have to park at the remote terminal, clear TSA, and get on a bus,” Jacobson said. “The question is, will this now be a weak spot?”