Taxpayers could save nearly $39 million annually if Los Angeles International Airport replaced its federal security screeners with a privatized force, according to a report by the chair of the House Transportation Committee.

The finding by Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., comes as city and airport officials examine whether to substitute some of the Transportation Security Administration workers at LAX with private screeners who would be under federal supervision.

A final decision could come soon after Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's "blue ribbon" panel of aviation and homeland security experts release a study later this month examining safety protocols at LAX.

"We continue to review the merits of using a privatized work force and will make our decision soon," said Michael Molina, deputy executive director of external affairs at LAX.

LAX officials were prepared late last year to apply for TSA's private-federal Screening Partnership Program, which would have allowed TSA-approved contractors to conduct passenger and baggage screening at several undisclosed locations within the airport.

That plan was placed on hold in December, when Villaraigosa assembled his blue-ribbon panel to determine whether LAX is prone to a terrorist attack. The group is expected to provide an exhaustive list of recommendations on how to improve security, safety and emergency management at LAX, the nation's third-busiest airport.

"It's nice to

Last November, Rosendahl asked airport officials to study whether security should be privatized at LAX shortly after the TSA launched a series of increasingly aggressive screening tactics, including the use of full-body scanners and intensive pat-downs.

If LAX were to opt for a private security company, the firm would still have to be supervised by the federal government and abide by the TSA's stringent standards and conditions.

Rosendahl said he believed that replacing TSA agents with private contractors would allow for better oversight of security protocols at LAX while also increasing efficiency while screening travelers.

"In my opinion, the jury is still out on whether it would cost more or less," Rosendahl said. "But if airport personnel and the blue-ribbon commission feel private security could do a more efficient job than the TSA, then I'm all for it."

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