Why some US airports are dodging TSA shutdown chaos while others grind to a halt

Long security lines and staffing shortages have disrupted travel at major US airports during the partial government shutdown — but a small group of hubs is largely avoiding the chaos because they rely on private screening contractors instead of federally employed TSA officers.

At least 20 airports across the country participate in the Transportation Security Administration's Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which was founded in 2004 and allows private companies to conduct security screening under TSA oversight...