3 airports to join new TSA Gold+ program: What does that mean for travelers

Three U.S. hubs—Tampa, Charleston, and Des Moines—are set to outsource security screening to private contractors under the new TSA Gold+ program. While supporters praise the move for modernization and disruption resilience during government shutdowns, the federal employee union warns the privatization rollout threatens safety standards.

A trio of American airports is preparing to hand its security checkpoints over to private management. Tampa International Airport in Florida, Charleston International Airport in South Carolina, and Des Moines International Airport in Iowa are taking steps to opt in to the newly launched TSA Gold+ program.

The initiative marks a notable evolution in American aviation security. While roughly 20 airports already utilize private screeners under the existing Screening Partnership Program, the new framework pushes privatization further by allowing participating hubs to manage not just the security personnel, but also the screening equipment itself.

Tampa and Charleston Lead the Private Shift Under TSA Oversight

The push toward privatization surfaced in local town halls and official releases. Tampa International Airport formally opted in to the TSA Gold+ program, targeting a transition date of May 31, 2027. The shift was outlined to Tampa staff during a town hall led by acting TSA deputy administrator Adam Stahl.

Despite the change in management, federal regulators maintain strict authority over participating hubs. The agency insists that federal security standards remain untouched. Federal security standards will not change under TSA Gold+, and some TSA personnel are to remain onsite for oversight at airports adopting the program.

Airport authorities adopting the program have emphasized operational stability. In South Carolina, Charleston International Airport announced it was formally pursuing the transition. Elliott Summey, president and CEO of the airport, explained the reasoning behind the move.

Operational Resilience and the Government Shutdown Factor

Behind the administrative changes lies a practical concern regarding federal funding disputes. Recent fiscal standoffs in Washington left federal employees without paychecks, causing severe staffing shortages and multi-hour delays at major hubs across the country when unpaid workers failed to report.

Proponents argue that outsourcing checkpoint operations insulates airports from congressional gridlock. Beau Zimmer, communications manager for Tampa International Airport, highlighted this exact vulnerability when discussing the facility’s choice.

Des Moines International Airport is exploring the program as it prepares to open a new terminal in 2027. Brian Mulcahy, CEO of the Des Moines Airport Authority, noted that the framework aligns with the airport’s primary objective to make travel EASY while bringing in modern technology to accelerate checkpoint throughput.

Union Pushback and the Uncertain Future for Federal Officers

The expansion has drawn sharp condemnation from labor representatives. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents over 47,000 Transportation Security Officers across roughly 400 airports, argues that the transition undermines national aviation security.

“Make no mistake – this is a major departure and step backwards from the aviation screening security system that Congress created in the wake of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks in 2001 and the deadly bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Scotland in 1988,”

Photo: USA Today

Everett Kelley, AFGE National President, via USA Today and CNN

For frontline workers caught in the middle of the administrative pivot, the immediate reality is stark. In Tampa, employees attending informational sessions learned they face a complicated transition. Staff must decide whether to apply for positions with the incoming private contractor, seek alternative federal employment, transfer to another airport, or exit the workforce entirely through resignation or early retirement.

To mitigate the disruption, program guidelines dictate that TSA officers should have first right of refusal for jobs with contractors, who will be required to provide commensurate pay and benefits. Whether those assurances will stem the anxiety among rank-and-file screeners as the May 2027 implementation date approaches remains an open question for the expanding public-private experiment.