The TSA Wastes $12 Billion and Still Fails 90% of the Time episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 28, 2026 · 58 MIN

The TSA Wastes $12 Billion and Still Fails 90% of the Time

from Dad Saves America · host John Papola

The TSA is running out of staff, airport security lines are spiraling out of control, and Congress still can’t resolve its fight over DHS funding. This isn’t just a temporary breakdown. We’re seeing what happens when a $12 billion government “solution” finally gets stress-tested. Despite collecting billions in additional fees from travelers every year, the TSA still can’t maintain basic service and even fails its core security mission at an alarming rate when fully funded.Before 9/11, airport security was largely operated by private entities. Today, a handful of U.S. airports still use private contractors under TSA rules and regulations. They follow the same general procedures, but consistently deliver faster lines and better service. The rest of the country is stuck in the middle of Washington turf wars that treat air travel as a bargaining chip, tying essential operations to unrelated legislation while workers go unpaid and travelers miss flights.If private airport security is a proven model, why are most of us stuck with substandard government service? What would a system built on real incentives and accountability actually look like?_____________________________________Check my sources over on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/dadsavesamerica/p/the-tsa-wastes-12-billion-and-still?r=24ayxm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true_____________________________________Purchase a T-shirt, hoodie, and more over on our merch store: https://shop.dadsavesamerica.com/Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/14JDhwuONM4Make a tax-deductible donation to Dad Saves America: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://secure.anedot.com/emergent-order-foundation/dad-website?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dadsavesamerica.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get full access to Dad Saves America at www.dadsavesamerica.com/subscribe

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The TSA Wastes $12 Billion and Still Fails 90% of the Time

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