If ever there were a real-life experiment on why airport security needs to be turned over to private vendors it’s the chaos at airports this week. Two to three hour delays at major airports to get through security with tens of thousands missing flights.

The Chuck Schumer shutdown of Homeland Security funding has meant TSA agents haven’t received a paycheck in weeks. Many are calling in sick, taking side jobs or have found they can’t afford to go to work for free.

Last Sunday, 10% of TSA officers nationwide called in sick, which is 5x the usual rate, and sick calls are increasing. A total of 366 TSA officers have quit in recent weeks.

But there are 22 airports that use private contractors to conduct screening and guess what: almost no delays. Among them is San Francisco International Airport, often ranked as one of the best in America. Security personnel at those airports are being paid as normal and showing up for work.

We suggest President Trump issue a blanket waiver of the usual rules and regulations to allow all airports to hire private screeners, effective immediately.