TSA Scraps Gold+ Airport Security Privatization Program
The Transportation Security Administration is scrapping its TSA Gold+ program, a recently announced initiative designed to significantly expand the use of private contractors at airport security checkpoints.
The reversal is part of TSA’s newly announced Horizon 25 Strategy, which will replace Gold+ with what the agency describes as an “evolved Screening Partnership Program.” So while Gold+ itself is going away, TSA isn’t abandoning the idea of expanding public-private partnerships at airports.
The existing Screening Partnership Program already allows airports to use private companies for passenger and baggage screening while remaining under TSA oversight. Twenty commercial airports currently participate, including San Francisco International Airport.
The Gold+ proposal had faced significant opposition from the union representing TSA employees. Tampa International Airport, which had been considering joining Gold+, separately announced this week that it was dropping its plan to privatize TSA screening after several months of review.
For travelers, there’s no immediate change to the airport screening process. TSA says Horizon 25 will also focus on modernizing checkpoints, improving the traveler experience, enhancing TSA PreCheck and speeding up the acquisition of new security technology.
