Better in that it was more effective?

More cost effective and answered to the business serving travelers. TSA answers to nobody and customer service is not even a priority. Private security that harassed, berated, and abused patrons would not be working private security for very long.

You will have to define effective to tell if TSA or private security is better. TSA is an effective hinderance on travel, jobs program, and public money funnel for scanner companies. Private security was more effective at scaling security for the risk and trying to be a minimal hinderance to travelers.

It's actually one of the reasons I'm hesitant at being pro-public transit.

Last thing I need is a TSA equivalent pat down for entering a bus or metro because the government decided it wants to.

Have you ever travelled to and taken mass transit in Israel? This is common.

No, I don't live in or have visited Israel, but it's obvious why Israel would have such precautions compared to many other parts of the world.