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What the TSA's new Gold+ program means for air travel
The Points Guy • • business
Key Points:
- Three U.S. airports—Tampa, Des Moines, and Charleston—will soon outsource security screening to private contractors under the new TSA Gold Plus program launched by the Trump administration.
- TSA Gold Plus allows third-party companies to manage security checkpoints and screening technology, while TSA maintains oversight and certification of standards.
- Supporters argue the program will modernize screening, improve efficiency, and reduce delays during government shutdowns, as private screeners are not federal employees.
- Critics, including TSA unions and some lawmakers, warn that privatization could compromise security and lead to cost-cutting measures that jeopardize safety.
- The TSA emphasizes continued strict oversight and the potential to revoke contracts if private screeners fail to meet security requirements, but the program marks a significant shift in U.S. airport security operations.
