Could the airlines hire some private controllers

So this no doubt costs the airlines plenty. Could they ask the FAA to step aside and install some private controllers to handle this airspace?

PeterNSteinmetz said:

So this no doubt costs the airlines plenty. Could they ask the FAA to step aside and install some private controllers to handle this airspace?

Flights to Los Angeles International Airport halted due to air traffic controller shortage

The Federal Aviation Administration says flights departing for Los Angeles International Airport are being held due to a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility.

apnews.com

Click to expand...

Of course its possible, just not probable. IMHO of course.
The first airport controller in the U.S. was a man with flags at the privately funded St. Louis Airport in 1929. A radio equipped control tower was established the next year at Cleveland. The first (non-radio) airway control (enroute) system was privately run and established by a consortium of airlines. The Federal government took over air traffic control a few years later.
Source: The evolution of air traffic control

Nav Canada is the best known quasi-private ATC system in the world. Libertarian and Reason Foundation co-founder Robert W. Poole Jr has been a strong proponent of privatizing ATC in the U.S. and it is my understanding Nav Canada is a version of his non-profit ATC corporation. Many national ATC systems have gone successfully private or quasi-private.
I'm subscribed to Poole's periodic "Aviation Policy Updates". The latest update is here. Near the bottom is a way to subscribe.