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3 airports to join new ‘TSA Gold+’ program: What does that mean for travelers?
Sean CudahySenior Aviation Reporter
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.
July 24, 2026
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7 min read
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A trio of U.S. airports is getting set to ouths
Three airports — in Tampa, Des Moines, and Charleston, South Carolina — will be the first in the country to opt in to TSA Gold Plus, a program launched earlier this year by the Trump administration
Under the setup, third-party companies would partner with the Transportation Security Administration at participating hubs to manage airport security checkpoints and the officers that work them
Supporters say the move would help modernize and speed up airport security, as well as reduce the risk of long backups during government shutdowns
But critics argue that expanding privatized security to more airports presents security risks
Here’s what to know about the changes and what they mean for air travel in the U.S
What is TSA Gold+?
TSA Gold Plus is a new partnership program launched earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
It allows airports to voluntarily opt in to using private, third-party companies to manage security checkpoints instead of TSA officers employed by the federal government
Those companies would also manage the technology that screens travelers and their bags
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The TSA says it would still be responsible for ensuring that all security checkpoints meet federal standards
Which airports are participating?
The initial three airports joining the TSA’s new program are:
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Charleston International Airport (CHS) in South Carolina
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in Iowa
Additional hubs may opt in. The TSA has received “a lot of interest from airports” considering the program, according to an administration official familiar with the matter
Will the airport security experience change?
In theory, travelers shouldn’t notice much difference in the security experience at those airports. TSA policies like the 3-1-1 liquids rules would likely still be in place, and the general setup would likely look a lot like what customers see today at checkpoints
Is this good for travelers?
It depends on who you ask
The TSA has touted the Gold Plus program as a way for airports to get their hands on the latest and best screening technology and to set up their security checkpoints to run more efficiently
Plus, there’s this: Because the officers working those checkpoints wouldn’t technically be employed by the federal government, airports wouldn’t be at risk for massive security backups during a government shutdown
As federal workers, TSA officers go without pay when Congress can’t reach a funding deal. This spring, the monthslong shutdown led to multi-hour delays at some hubs
Tampa airport leaders pointed to both factors as reasons it joined the new TSA Gold Plus program
“The change to privatization not only reduces disruption risk, but also allows greater flexibility in exploring new screening checkpoint infrastructure and technology to enhance the customer experience,” the airport told TPG
Don’t some airports already use private security?
At least 20 U.S. airports already have security screeners that technically work for third parties — not the TSA — through what the agency calls its Screening Partnership Program
The largest: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Those airports were largely immune to long lines during the recent government shutdown
The TSA’s Gold Plus program would be an expansion of this setup. However, participating airports would not have only security personnel managed by private companies, but also the screening equipment
What are the concerns with TSA Gold+?
The union representing TSA workers is raising alarm bells about the new program
Relying on private security contractors “ignores lessons learned from the 9/11 attacks and other airline tragedies,” the American Federation of Government Employees said this week
The TSA was created nearly 25 years ago in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The government-run agency standardized airport security nationwide and replaced the patchwork of pre-9/11 security systems
Some leaders also argue that private companies running airport security checkpoints could be motivated to cut costs — and corners — to boost profits
“Private contractors answer to the bottom line,” Sen. Andy Kim, a Democrat from New Jersey, said last week at a hearing on Capitol Hill
Private screeners at more US airports?
Critics also argue that this new program is part of a broader White House effort to expand the use of private airport security screeners. The Trump administration has proposed expanding the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program to many of the nation’s smaller airports
Speaking at his confirmation hearing this month, David Cummins, the Trump administration’s nominee for TSA administrator, said expanding that program to more U.S. airports “will leverage the reesilient to political theater.”
TSA: We’re still in charge
The TSA says it will maintain strict oversight at airports that opt in to private screening and that all current security standards will remain in place
The agency would have to certify all technology used by screening partners, and would continue to have some TSA personnel on hand at those airports, a DHS official told TPG
Should private screeners not meet security standards, the official said, the company could lose its contract with the federal government
Bottom line
A growing number of airports are planning to partner with private companies for airport security screening
How many airports will ultimately go in that direction? That remains to be seen — as does the impact on travelers
But as the TSA nears its 25th anniversary, it’s safe to say big changes are in the works for airport security
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Featured image by AJ SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
