Overview
- TSA announced the Gold+ plan in an internal memo dated May 14 that expands the existing Screening Partnership Program used at about 20 airports.
- Under Gold+, private vendors would hire and manage screening staff and operate checkpoint technology while the TSA keeps regulatory authority and oversight.
- TSA says Gold+ aims to accelerate deployment of advanced screening machines and tailor screening setups to each airport’s space and needs.
- Unions, many airport leaders and some security experts warn the shift could cut pay and benefits, raise turnover, weaken worker protections and complicate accountability.
- Related experiments, including a remote screening shuttle serving Boston that relies on private operator Landline, are moving into pilots as policymakers and industry debate whether to make the program optional or mandatory.