OIA leaders take step toward privatizing airport security

Leaders at Orlando International Airport took another step toward privatizing airport security.

The Transportation Security Administration has been under scrutiny because of recent security lapses.

Leaders said they will survey the TSA for the next nine months to ensure that officers are providing prompt service, proper security and being courteous to visitors.

Monday morning, an eight-member subcommittee appointed by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority  met and decided to use a third party to survey the security screening process done by TSA for the next nine months.

The subcommittee and the third party will then present their findings to the aviation authority, where they will decide whether or not to move in the direction of a privatization.

Chairman of the subcommittee, Dean Asher,  said the goal of the board is to assess the pros and cons of the private screening model at OIA and to decide whether or not a privatization would improve customer service.

"I think we laid it out there that TSA is going to have some standards that they are going to have to abide by and if they don't within time than the only option is to privatize," said Asher.

The board will meet on the Apr. 21, where the subcommittee will present their recommendation to establish performance standards for TSA, which includes courteous service and proper security.