TSA Launches Gold+ Screening Model at 20-Airport Program to Shield Security From Shutdowns
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 18
TSA Launches Gold+ Screening Model at 20-Airport Program to Shield Security From Shutdowns
15 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 18
TSA unveiled Gold+, a new public-private airport screening option that lets airports opt into customized security operations run with private partners under federal oversight.
The program is designed to keep checkpoints operating through federal shutdowns after this year’s partial lapse left 61,000 TSA workers short nearly $1 billion in pay and produced hours-long lines.
Gold+ expands the existing Screening Partnership Program, which already uses private contractors at 20 U.S. airports, and TSA says airports would not face added costs because industry partners fund the upgrades.
Union critics, including the Association of Federal Government Employees, argue private operators are driven by profit, while TSA says the model can cut budget pressure, speed technology upgrades and improve passenger flow.
Will privatizing airport security lead to a two-tier system with unequal safety and wait times across the country?
When private companies run security, who is ultimately accountable for keeping travelers safe from new and emerging threats?
Gold+ 2026: The Controversial Shift Toward Private Airport Security in the U.S.
Overview
Launched in May 2026, the Gold+ Initiative marks a major shift in U.S. airport security, driven by the Trump administration’s proposal to cut thousands of TSA jobs and reduce its budget. This push for modernization and efficiency aims to address frustrations from frequent travelers who find the current system slow and inefficient, especially due to infrequent travelers causing delays. Gold+ introduces a new public-private partnership model, moving away from traditional security approaches and exploring innovative frameworks to improve the traveler experience while responding to calls for operational change.