BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Long Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lines are still being reported all over the country with some passengers facing some of the longest wait times in history. TSA agents are also not being paid due to the partial government shutdown.
Thankfully, things have been running smoothly with no major delays at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
During his weekly call with reporters, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said he’s all for privatizing TSA.
Last year, Tuberville and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introduced “The Abolish TSA Act of 2025,” which dissolves the TSA within three years and privatizes airport screening.
Tuberville said the TSA is “over bloated and inefficient”. While he’s thankful TSA workers are showing up without getting paid, Tuberville said it’s time for major change to airport security.
“There are several airports like Kansas City and San Francisco that don’t have long lines. I wonder why? Because they aren’t run by the federal government. They are privatized. And that’s what we should do to every airport,” said Tuberville. “Let the airports supply the security. The federal government can’t do anything right.”
In the meantime, there is a way to help TSA workers financially. The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is launching a TSA gift card drive to benefit workers not receiving a paycheck. The secured drop off box is located across from the main TSA checkpoint.
WBRC is told the TSA is allowed to accept gift cards valued at $20 or less. They must be gas, grocery or restaurant gift cards. No cash or Visa/Mastercard gift cards are accepted.
There are 160 people working for TSA at Birmingham’s airport.
