Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has suggested that the United States could get rid of the federal Transportation Security Administration and return to privatized airport security to limit travel delays during government shutdowns.

“Is there evidence that creating TSA has made air travel safer over the past 25 years?” DeSantis asked Saturday on X while toying with the idea. “If not, then why not let the airlines and airports handle it?”

Before the September 11 terror attacks, airport security was handled by private firms that contracted with airlines using a particular terminal. Passengers only went through a metal detector and did not always need to show ID before boarding a flight.

Since 9/11, robust security changes have been made to prevent terrorist attacks or other threats.

The debate over privatizing airport security has reignited since funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed in February, forcing TSA agents and air traffic controllers to work without pay. Hundreds have called out from their jobs or quit. As a result of staffing shortages, some of the nation’s largest airports have seen long TSA wait times and flight delays.

“Why give politicians the power to play games with the travel of our people?” DeSantis asked. The governor was responding to another X user who posted an ABC News article from 2017 that alleged airport security checkpoints had a failure rate of 80 percent.

“Yes that has been a perennial issue,” DeSantis said.

There is little data on airport security checkpoints’ failure rate. The Government Accountability Office, an agency that provides evaluations and investigations for Congress, has periodically made recommendations to increase security at airports.

The Independent has asked TSA for comment.

A 2023 Government Accountability Office report found that TSA could be better at ensuring dangerous items are scanned properly and that screening technology degrades over time. A 2024 report recommended that TSA address potential cybersecurity threats.

In 2023, TSA said it had prevented more than 6,700 firearms, most of which were loaded, being brought into a secure area of the airport or onboard an aircraft.

While TSA is the main transportation security agency in the U.S., some smaller airports use private security.

Roughly 20 airports in the U.S. rely on private security companies that participate in TSA’s Screening Partnership Program, rather than on government agents. Those airports are less impacted during government shutdowns because private companies can continue to pay their employees.

But critics say there are dangers in privatizing airport security. The American Federation of Government Employees, the labor union that represents roughly 47,000 transportation security officers, said safety could be compromised because security contracts typically go to the lowest bidder.

The union alleges private companies will be more focused on profit, rather than workers’ well-being, which can lead to staffing shortages or high turnover rates.