Rehberg Presses For Answer on Montana Airport Screening Requests

Press Release

Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has contacted the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator, John Pistole, urging a decision on the application of three Montana airports to participate in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). This program allows small airports to contract with private security screeners instead of TSA officials in order to save money and improve service. Airports in Butte, Kalispell and West Yellowstone have been waiting for Homeland Security approval for too long. The Missoula airport has also applied to join SPP, though their application is more recent.

"Sometimes it takes a little nudge to get the federal government moving on something they should be doing on their own," said Rehberg, a member of the House General Aviation Caucus. "In this case, these airports have been waiting for far too long to know whether or not they've been approved. A favorable decision to allow these airports to employ private security screeners will save money and create private sector jobs. Frankly, it's time for Homeland Security to make a decision."

In 2004, the TSA established a program to allow small airports to employ private security screeners instead of TSA officials if the Department of Homeland Security deemed it more cost effective to do so. This program was based on a pilot program started in 2001.

Since then, 17 airports and one heliport have been approved to join the program including seven EAS airports in Montana.

Four other Montana airports -- Missoula, Butte, Kalispell, West Yellowstone -- have submitted requests to join the Screening Partnership Program, but none of these airports has received a final decision. Butte has been waiting since Spring 2009 and West Yellowstone and Kalispell have been waiting since Fall 2009.

"The Flathead Municipal Airport Authority, following a considerable amount of due diligence, submitted an application to participate in the SPP program in October 2009," said Glacier Park International Airport Director Cindi Martin. "The Authority firmly believes that this program will meet our customer service and security staffing needs - now and in the future. But because of lengthy and unexplained delays on TSA's part, we are unable to move forward. We thank Denny for his attention to this matter, and we hope that TSA will finally address this issue."

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