The Transportation Security Administration has launched a new program called TSA Gold+ that would allow airports to expand private security screening through public-private partnerships, building on an existing model that already operates at select U.S. facilities.
TSA Gold+ is designed to let private security firms handle the screening and security duties currently performed by TSA officers at participating airports. According to the program's website, the initiative aims to help address rising travel volumes and evolving threats while allowing private contractors to tailor operations to individual airport needs, provided they comply with federal security standards.
The program also promises that private security providers would not be affected by lengthy federal budget cycles, a reference widely interpreted as suggesting TSA Gold+ airports could avoid disruptions from government shutdowns. The most recent partial government shutdown in early 2026 left TSA officers working without pay until the impasse was resolved.
TSA Gold+ builds on TSA's existing Screening Partnership Program, which currently operates at 20 airports including San Francisco International Airport and Kansas City International Airport. Under SPP, private firms conduct screening but use equipment provided by TSA and must comply with all agency security procedures.
What the Left Is Saying
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees union that represents TSA workers, has raised concerns about the expansion of contracted security services. At a May hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Kelley argued that private contractors may lack the standardized training and public accountability that federal TSA officers have provided since the agency was created after 9/11.
And this reality is why we need trained professionals conducting security screening who are accountable to the public, not to a contractor's bottom line, Kelley said.
Kelley also disputed the claim that private security firms would be immune to government shutdown impacts. He argued that these companies are paid from the same Department of Homeland Security appropriations that fund federal Transportation Security Officers, meaning they would face similar funding disruptions during budget impasses.
Additionally, Kelley expressed concern about a provision allowing vendors under Gold+ to provide their own screening equipment and potentially new technologies rather than using federally supplied equipment as required under SPP. In testimony to the House committee, Kelley called this aspect troubling, stating that it would mean ceding direct operational control of the most sensitive technology in aviation security to private vendors.
What the Right Is Saying
Supporters of TSA Gold+ argue that public-private partnerships can unlock innovation and improve customer experience while maintaining rigorous security standards. The program's website states that through strong partnerships, TSA Gold+ will expand screening capacity and achieve world-class security.
Proponents note that private screening is not new to U.S. aviation security. The existing SPP has operated for years with companies required to meet identical or in some cases more stringent security and wait time requirements as federal TSA officers, according to a representative from VMD Corp., which provides screening services at Atlantic City International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, and Orlando Sanford International Airport.
The flexibility offered by private contractors may allow airports to adapt more quickly to changing threat landscapes and passenger volumes without being constrained by federal hiring and procurement processes. Supporters contend this could reduce wait times and improve the traveling experience while maintaining security standards through TSA oversight.
What the Numbers Show
TSA's existing Screening Partnership Program operates at 20 airports across the United States, including several major hubs.
VMD Corp., one of the largest private screening contractors, handles operations at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Kansas City International Airport (MCI), and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). The company stated it was most certainly looking into continued partnerships through TSA Gold+ but declined to share additional details as of March 2026.
The number of airports that have expressed interest in joining TSA Gold+ has not been publicly disclosed. As of Friday, the agency had not returned requests for comment on the program's rollout timeline or participation numbers.
The Bottom Line
TSA Gold+ represents a significant expansion of private involvement in airport security screening, building on years of experience with the Screening Partnership Program at 20 airports. Supporters argue it offers more flexibility and innovation while maintaining federal standards, while critics contend it shifts accountability away from public servants and may not provide the shutdown immunity its proponents suggest.
The program remains in early stages, and TSA has not indicated how many airports have expressed interest in joining or when the first Gold+ operations might begin. What is clear is that both sides of this debate will be watching closely as the agency moves forward with an initiative that could reshape how security screening works at American airports for years to come.