AFGE Opposes TSA Gold+ Expansion to 3 Airports as 20 Already Use Privatized Screening
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 23
AFGE Opposes TSA Gold+ Expansion to 3 Airports as 20 Already Use Privatized Screening
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 23
Summary
AFGE, which represents more than 47,000 TSA officers at 400 airports, said TSA Gold+ would expand privatized screening without sufficient public or congressional input and could threaten safety and jobs.
Three airports are tied to the new program: Charleston and Tampa are moving to TSA Gold+, while Des Moines is exploring it ahead of a new terminal opening in 2027.
TSA says Gold+ lets airports voluntarily tailor screening with private vendors under federal oversight, while avoiding delays tied to the federal budget cycle and government shutdowns.
Charleston and Tampa said the model offers operational stability and modernization, and Charleston pledged current TSA officers a chance to move to the contractor at equivalent pay and benefits.
The pushback comes as about 20 U.S. airports already use privatized screening through TSA's older Screening Partnership Program, which Gold+ is billed as evolving.