Blame the TSA, not the airlines
The security wait times our passengers are enduring are unacceptable, and that is why U.S. airlines are putting millions of dollars and other resources toward helping the Transportation Security Administration address its staffing issues.
But let’s be clear: Contrary to what some members of Congress and others are suggesting, there are no data to suggest a causal relationship between baggage fees and the recent excessive wait times. This is a TSA scheduling and staff allocation management issue.
Last year, a record number of people traveled (798 million, including a record 222 million in the summer months). And yet, there was no wait time issue.
After an embarrassing report from the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general last fall, the TSA stopped including people in risk-based screening programs such as TSA PreCheck, which had helped manage lines. This change was made without adding additional screeners, while the number of travelers was increasing as projected, creating the lines we have today.
This would be like airlines suddenly not allowing people to check in online, but not adding additional agents in airport lobbies to serve travelers checking in at the airport. We would see lines out the door, and that’s just what happened with TSA.
Excessive airport security wait times are a recent development, whereas the model of charging customers for services they use and value, such as checking a bag, has been in place since 2008. The TSA’s own numbers suggest the number of bags checked per passenger has been consistent for the past six years.
Further, airports served predominantly by carriers that do not charge to check a bag are experiencing security wait times in excess of 90 minutes.
If Congress really wanted to take action to address lengthy security lines, it should return the $13 billion it diverted in 2013 from the increase passengers pay in TSA fees to the general fund back to where it belongs, paying for passenger security. As it stands, passengers are paying more and getting less.