My colleague Geoff makes an important point that will affect those two dozen airports that are reportedly interested in using private contractors for airport security screening. Under current law only companies that are US based (must be HQ’d not just a subsidiary) can compete/provide airport security. This provision means that Wackenhut (which is now owned by Dutch Group 4) will be restricted from providing security. Group 4 is a huge security company that provides security at many airports in Europe, and by not even considering companies like this we could be passing up some of the most experienced contractors available. After all, certain European airports have been on heightened terror watches since long before 9/11.