Why SFO TSA remains drama-free amid federal shutdown

"As the government shutdown continues, causing flight delays and prompting an unprecedented move by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 major airports nationwide, the security gates at San Francisco International Airport remain intact. Essential air travel workers, such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers, are working without a paycheck, and security lines have lengthened accordingly."

"Passengers at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport have reported wait times of up to three hours at security checkpoints, according to SimpleFlying. However, at SFO, security checkpoint officers are privately contracted through the Screening Partnership Program with Covenant Aviation Security, a partnership that has been in place since 2002. SFO is the largest airport that participates in the Screening Partnership Program. Only 20 airports across the country are enrolled, and most are regional airports, including the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa."

"At SFO, Covenant Aviation Security screens both passengers and baggage. 'What it means today during the government shutdown is that the security screeners continue to get paid since they work for a private company,' Yakel said. 'The only actual TSA staff here are a small number of leadership and inspectors, who are considered essential and are working without pay.' Last month, SFGATE reported that more than 1,000 federal employees were working at SFO without pay amid the shutdown, which is now the longest in U.S. history."

Government shutdown has caused flight delays and prompted the FAA to cut flights up to 10% at 40 airports. Essential air travel workers, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, are working without pay and security lines have lengthened, with reported wait times up to three hours at Houston. San Francisco International Airport maintains intact security gates because checkpoint officers are privately contracted through the Screening Partnership Program with Covenant Aviation Security. SFO is the largest SPP participant; Covenant's screeners continue to be paid while a small number of TSA leaders and inspectors at SFO work without pay. More than 1,000 federal employees at SFO have worked without pay amid the shutdown.

Read at SFGATE