Port of Seattle hires to speed up Sea-Tac security lines

SEATAC — The Port of Seattle is aiming to speed up security line waits at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport by hiring private contractors to work at checkpoints during the summer.

The Seattle Times reported officials announced Thursday that 90 contractors are expected to start Monday ahead of an expected record number of passengers this summer.

At a news conference, officials said the new workers will allow the TSA to open more lanes. The private contractors will work through September, the officials said.

There has been an increase in travelers at Sea-Tac each of the last five years, and officials expect more than 42 million passengers this year.