The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed Tuesday that chairs will be removed from all airport ID‑check checkpoints. The agency says the decision ensures officers remain on their feet, alert and ready to protect travelers, reinforcing both security and hospitality at the nation’s busiest travel hubs.
Why the change matters
According to the TSA, having officers stand while verifying identification “reinforces both our security posture and our commitment to hospitality by having these officers on their feet and alert.” The agency added that all personnel must meet fitness‑for‑duty requirements to perform their vital national‑security function.
Union response
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) TSA Council 100, which represents the workforce, criticized the move as a “disregard for workers’ rights and safety.” The union argued that chairs provide essential ergonomic support for officers who stand and walk on hard surfaces for long periods.
President Trump’s broader agenda
President Trump has long advocated for a leaner, more efficient TSA. In April, he proposed cutting more than 9,400 positions and roughly $1.5 billion—about 20 %—from the agency’s annual budget. The president also suggested allowing smaller airports to contract private security firms, a step that could reduce the TSA payroll by over 4,500 jobs and move the agency toward greater privatization.
These proposals are part of a larger effort to modernize airport security, lower taxpayer burdens, and give travelers faster, smoother screening experiences. By eliminating chairs, the administration aims to keep officers active and attentive, which aligns with the president’s vision of a more disciplined, cost‑effective security force.
Recent challenges and context
The TSA has faced significant operational strain. A lengthy government shutdown this spring forced 50,000 TSA workers to go without pay for six weeks, leading to security lines that stretched four hours or more at some airports. The agency’s new standing‑only policy is presented as a step toward restoring efficiency after those disruptions.
About 20 airports—including locations in San Francisco, Kansas City and Sarasota, Florida—have already used private security screeners for years, providing a model for the president’s proposed expansion of private‑security options at smaller facilities.
Leadership changes
In August, the Senate confirmed David Cummins, a senior vice president of Serco, to head the TSA. President Trump had removed former TSA chief David Pekoske on his first day in office in 2025 and left the top post vacant for 16 months, underscoring the administration’s commitment to fresh leadership and reform.
What’s next
The TSA plans to roll out the chair‑removal policy across all checkpoints in the coming weeks. While the union will likely continue to advocate for officer safety and ergonomic considerations, the administration maintains that a standing workforce enhances vigilance and speeds the screening process for the traveling public.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
