Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Not all airports in the United States use TSA to handle security. One is close by, in fact, right down the 90 at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.
Twenty airports total across the US don't use TSA. Security consultant and retired Buffalo Police Captain Jeff Rinaldo says the private security firms that do the job at these airports are more than capable, pointing to the pre-9/11 days of travel when all screening was done by private companies.
"What private security generally does is screen employees of the airport, potentially screening cargo, things of that nature. But passengers have been delegated to the TSA process. But again, it is something that can be done," Rinaldo tells WBEN.
There are some differences between TSA and private companies, though. Rinaldo says TSA agents are the best trained. The agency also has access to intelligence and other information in the screening process.
The existence of private contractors handling airport security may raise questions about the effectiveness of TSA, especially given the frequent shutdowns of the US government. Rinaldo wonders if public sentiment might change things.
"I think that a lot of airports, a lot of airlines and quite frankly the public are going to look for a solution to stop this from happening again."
As for the guidelines that workers follow at checkpoints, those are set by the FAA. What they do when screening you is a combination of federal guidelines and those set by the airport.
"Really, it's up to the contract company to meet the requirements that are in place for their particular responsibilities at those locations."
Security consultant and former BPD Captain Jeff Rinaldo says yes, but TSA is best trained.
