Just when it looked like things were getting back to normal for TSA officers, Trump just proposed a game-changing privatization strategy

What changed?

When he signed the memorandum ordering that TSA workers be paid, Trump was dealing with workers who'd been paid nothing or next to nothing since February, many of them calling off work or quitting as a result, leading to growing lines — and frustration — at U.S. airports.

Since TSA workers started getting paid, those lines have eased, along with public pressure, Time reports (3). Now Trump has switched his focus to another TSA line: a budgetary one.

The proposed TSA cuts are part of Trump's 2027 fiscal year budget request (4). It needs Congressional (5) approval, but if approved, would take effect Oct. 1.

Trump is not recommending the end of airport security. But he is recommending the private sector (6) take over.

"The move would yield cost savings compared to federal screening and begin reform of a troubled federal agency." the budget request reads.

Here's a look at how privatization would work and who stands to gain.

Privatization of airport security

Under the proposal, small airports would have to sign up with the TSA's Screening Partnership Program and pre-approved private contractors would take over their airport security screening. The TSA would still maintain oversight.

As Travel Weekly reveals (7), this program already exists — albeit on a very small scale. Since it was launched in 2004, only 20 commercial airports out of 400 across the U.S. have signed up. Most are smaller, with San Francisco and Kansas City being exceptions.

Trump's proposal states that airports in the program have "demonstrated savings" relative to TSA-run screening programs and estimates savings of up to $52 million (8) from working with private contractors.

One such contractor — BOS Security Inc. — cites (9) a 2011 study that found that private screeners were able to process 65% more passengers per screener than their TSA counterparts.

The libertarian think tank, the Cato Institute notes (10) that privatized air security is not a new idea outside the U.S., either. Canada's Air Transport Security Authority partners with private firms to carry out airport screening, as do the majority of European airports.

So proponents say privatization would mean savings in terms of cost and efficiency.

But AFGE, the union that represents TSA workers, doesn't think that means privatization is a safer option — noting that all airport security screening in the U.S. was run by private contractors before the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

"It's very important that people understand what privatization is," AFGE TSA Council 100 member Johnny Jones told (11) CNN. "It has nothing to do with your security or your safety. It has everything to do with somebody making a profit."

Who stands to profit

There are numerous commercial security firms already approved as TSA Screening Partnership Program contractors — and who stand to gain from expanded privatization.

Airport security contracts can be worth millions (12), like a proposed Screening Partnership Program contract to provide security at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, worth upwards of $20 million.

In addition to Atlanta-based BOS Security Inc. these are some of the key players (13) who may benefit: