The Transportation Security Administration says the new program could streamline inspections and reduce the risk of disruption.
President Trump proposes privatizing TSA inspection services
President Donald Trump has proposed starting to privatize the Transportation Security Administration’s airport security services to save money.
After a government shutdown over the past year that caused long airport security lines, the Transportation Security Administration launched a new public-private partnership program called TSA Gold+.
As Gate Access first reported, the TSA shared an internal memo with employees on May 14 announcing the new program as an “innovative expansion” of the Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which contracts with private companies to operate security screening for airline passengers at 20 U.S. airports under TSA guidelines.
“As TSA celebrates its 25th anniversary, increasing travel volumes, evolving threats, and funding challenges present an opportunity to rethink aviation safety,” the official TSA Gold+ government website states.
TSA did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
Earlier this year, 61,000 TSA employees lost a total of $1 billion in pay and faced hours-long security checkpoint lines due to the recent partial government shutdown. To ease the pressure, President Donald Trump signed an unprecedented order on March 27 to direct federal funds to pay airport security personnel.
At an April 16 hearing, TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeil proposed privatizing TSA screening to avoid future funding shortfalls and widespread travel disruptions. While SPP is already in operation, TSA Gold+ is another step toward public-private partnerships.
Here’s what travelers need to know about TSA Gold+.
What is TSA Gold+?
According to the TSA Gold+ website, the program is “a new public-private partnership aimed at modernizing aviation security at select airports across the United States.” It will expand on the current SPP model by directing funding to long-term partnerships with “major industry operators” under TSA oversight.
Airports can opt-in to TSA Gold+ to receive customized security screening services based on their needs and space, with support from TSA and private vendors. These improvements will be managed by industry partners and will not incur additional costs to the airport.
Not everyone approves of TSA moving closer to privatization. Some opponents, including the Federal Government Employees Association, the union that represents TSA employees, argue that the agency’s primary purpose is to protect air travelers and that private companies are focused on profits.
How will this affect travelers?
According to the TSA Gold+ website, passengers shouldn’t notice any major changes right away, but the program’s goal is to streamline airport security screening while reducing federal agency budgets.
