Great Falls International Airport’s decision to privatize passenger security screening is now drawing national attention as federal officials look to expand similar programs across the country.
Back in 2022, the Great Falls Airport Authority transitioned away from traditional federal TSA staffing after struggling with chronic personnel shortages that often-created operational challenges for smaller regional airports.
Airport director John Faulkner said the change was driven by the need for more staffing flexibility.
“At the time, TSA changed some of the work rules,” he said. “They were really trying to get folks to work an eight hour or a full day shift. But the problem is that smaller airports, the flights are kind of split into two banks so, people had kind of a split shift. And so, they were really having a struggle filling those roles.”
Under the current system, passenger screening at Great Falls is conducted by a contracted business through the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program, or SPP. While the officers are privately employed, they still operate under strict federal oversight and must follow all TSA security procedures and directives.
Passengers continue to experience the same screening standards and services, including TSA PreCheck.
Airport officials say one of the biggest advantages has been the contractor’s ability to hire both full-time and part-time employees more quickly than the traditional federal staffing structure allowed.
Faulkner said, “Now the shifts are fully staffed. They have enough people for peak times and that type of thing. So that just really helped to speed up the, the lines. We’ve gotten really good feedback about our screeners so, I think the whole process and just been very positive.”
Now, the Transportation Security Administration is looking at airports like Great Falls as a potential model for wider implementation nationwide.
The TSA is currently rolling out a new initiative known as “TSA Gold+,” an expanded public-private partnership effort designed to increase operational flexibility and improve staffing stability at airports across the country — particularly at smaller regional facilities.
Federal officials say the initiative could also help protect airport security operations from disruptions tied to federal budget disputes and government shutdowns.
Supporters of the privatized model argue it allows airports to respond more quickly to local staffing needs while maintaining the same federal security standards passengers expect.
However, the effort has also sparked debate among federal employee unions and critics who argue airport security functions should remain under direct government control.
For Great Falls airport leaders, though, the local results continue to reinforce their original decision.
“Labor is tight in great falls. And so having a little bit more flexibility has really been beneficial for them,” he explained. “I think the airport benefits from happy employees. All in all, it's been very positive and we hope to continue that for sure.”
As the TSA evaluates future expansion of the program, Great Falls International Airport is being viewed as an example of how smaller airports may help shape the future of aviation security nationwide.
(MARCH 24, 2026) While airports across the country are dealing with long security lines and delays tied to TSA staffing shortages, Great Falls International Airport is not seeing the same impact.
John Faulkner, GTF airport director, says it comes down to one key difference: how security screening is handled.
Watch the video here:
Unlike most airports that rely on federal Transportation Security Administration agents, Great Falls operates under the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program, using private contractors for checkpoint screening.
That distinction is making a noticeable difference.
“We’re not seeing that yet because we have a private screening here, as opposed to TSA,” Faulkner explained. “We’ve applied to be in the private screening program, and so all of our screeners are our private screeners… and that program still happens to have some funding.”
Nationwide, TSA delays have been linked to staffing and funding challenges, with some airports reporting significantly longer wait times. But in Great Falls, officials say screening operations remain fully staffed and running normally.
Great Falls is one of about 20 airports nationwide that participate in the program, and eight of them are in Montana.
For a full list of participating airports, check here
Even without current delays locally, Faulkner is still urging travelers to plan, especially as airline policies continue to tighten.
“All of the airline lines now require you to check in 45 minutes before your flight,” said Faulkner. “Their computer is actually shut down, so you have to have been through the ticket counter line, your bags need to be checked, and you need to be on your way to the checkpoint 45 minutes prior to the flight.”
He says that policy is now standard across most airlines, making early arrival more important than ever.
They also remind travelers to be aware of federal identification requirements. The REAL ID deadline is in effect, meaning passengers must have an allowed form of identification to pass through security.
For a full list of acceptable identification, check here
While Great Falls may be avoiding the current wave of TSA disruptions, Faulkner added that some travelers connecting through larger airports should still allow extra time, as delays continue at some airports across the country.
