It seems as though most people are not fans of the TSA, but many of them believe that the government should run some short of security at airports.
Saying the TSA is needed at airports is like saying that without the United States Post Office, first class mail would not get delivered. Just because the government holds a monopoly on certain things does not mean that they are the only ones who are capable to do a certain job.
Both the TSA and the Post Office are widely known for their inefficiency and heavy bureaucratization which ultimately causes these problems. For example, some people chose to fly less often due to the TSA's procedures and people generally dread a trip to the post office for the long lines. Since they have no incentive to create a better environment for patrons, we are coerced into following their rules. On the contrary, if a company like FedEX initiated a policy a majority of its customers were unhappy with, they would either have to repeal it or face heavy losses.
I believe the solution to the TSA problem would be to have actual airlines provide security at airports or to hire private security firms. Seeing as the airline industry wouldn't want its customers dead or to lose a plane, as it would ultimately harm their business, they would have to find a way to offer a safe and pleasant experience.
Also, if customers were not happy with a particular airline’s way of handling security, they would always be free to choose another airline they feel does a better job
