Originally Posted by
seawolf
Could you clarify paid for? Airline does not pay for TSA staffing as that is already included into the ticket tax. TSA staffing is based on forecast model. I don't see anything to indicate TSA offers a service to airline/terminal to staff beyond forecast model.
As such, if TSA determines they will operate 5 screening lanes during a certain time period, terminal operator/owner can configure their lanes leading up to the checkpoint anyway they want, but TSA will still only staff 5 screening lanes.
No, I meant staffing for priority lanes that feed into the PSC lines. If airlines want to have priority lines then they coordinate it with the operator and the TSA (space, stanchions, signage, staffing) but the airlines pay any costs of priority lines. Staffing (line dragons for priority lines) is typically airline contracted labor and only rarely airline employees.