Overview
- TSA announced Monday that it has discontinued the Gold+ privatization proposal and will pursue an "evolved" Screening Partnership Program as part of its Horizon 25 strategy.
- Gold+ drew very limited interest: only Tampa, Charleston and Des Moines had signaled intent and no airport completed a formal transition before the program was halted.
- Tampa International Airport reviewed Gold+ and decided to remain with TSA officers, and Des Moines said it will end its Gold+ exploration and continue working with TSA to bring new screening technology to its new terminal.
- The American Federation of Government Employees sued the TSA for records about Gold+ and argued the plan would threaten screeners’ jobs and security oversight; the union praised Tampa’s withdrawal.
- Gold+ would have let private contractors manage both checkpoint staff and equipment under TSA oversight, whereas the longstanding Screening Partnership Program covers fewer airports and uses private vendors under tighter federal rules, and TSA has not yet said which Gold+ elements, if any, will carry forward.