Three U.S. airports plan to transition to private security under the TSA’s Gold+ program, sparking union opposition and raising questions about oversight, as reported by multiple outlets on July 22, 2026.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed that three U.S. airports—Tampa International, Des Moines International, and Charleston International—will adopt its new private screening model, Gold+, marking the first such shift under the initiative. The move, outlined in a July 22, 2026, report by The Seattle Times, has drawn sharp criticism from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union, which represents TSA workers. The union argues the plan would undermine federal officers.
The Shift to Private Security
The Gold+ program, announced by the TSA in a mass email to staff members in May, expands on the Screening Partnership Program (SPP), which has allowed 20 airports to use private contractors for security screening. Under Gold+, airports can opt for private firms to handle screening while maintaining TSA oversight. The three new airports join existing sites like Kansas City International and San Francisco International, where private companies such as VMD Corp. already manage security checkpoints. Sources highlight that Kansas City’s setup—where private employees screen passengers but TSA auditors ensure compliance—mirrors the model now rolling out.
Their SOP is our SOP,
said Gabe Murphy, VMD’s program manager at Kansas City International Airport, explaining how private screeners follow TSA protocols. Despite this, passengers often fail to distinguish between federal and private staff. It’s news to me,
said Natasha Greenway, a traveler at Kansas City, while Kim Eckels added, I didn’t even notice.
Public Reaction and Passenger Awareness
Passenger awareness of the private-federal divide remains low. At Kansas City, where VMD Corp. handles screening, travelers frequently assume all staff are TSA officers. I taught my kids not to question anything going through security.
Just keep your mouth shut and go,
Eckels said.
The shift has also raised concerns about accountability. While the TSA maintains oversight, the agency’s ability to monitor a growing number of privatized airports remains untested. Tina Won Sherman, director of the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) Homeland Security and Justice team, warned that scaling up the program could strain oversight mechanisms. It’s critical, absolutely critical, for TSA to make sure that security is upheld at the highest standard that it can be,
she said.
Union Opposition and Concerns
The AFGE union has strongly opposed the Gold+ initiative, arguing it undermines federal officers. The union highlights that TSA officers, who historically earned some of the lowest wages in the federal workforce, saw improvements in 2023 through an omnibus budget bill and a 2024 collective bargaining agreement. However, the Trump administration has sought to revoke that contract. The Seattle Times reported that the AFGE warns the privatization could lead to reduced oversight, lower wages for private workers, and a fragmented security framework.
Private contractors, including VMD, emphasize their commitment to security standards. Murphy stated that VMD’s employees undergo rigorous training and adhere to TSA protocols. However, the GAO’s Sherman noted that the long-term effectiveness of Gold+ remains uncertain. If dozens of small- and medium-sized airports join, it would raise questions about how the TSA handles oversight of everything from technology standards to screeners’ efficiency,
she said.
Meanwhile, the AFGE continues to lobby against privatization, citing risks to both worker protections and security. For now, the three new airports—Tampa, Des Moines, and Charleston—will serve as test cases for a model that could reshape airport security nationwide. The Seattle Times reported that the TSA’s spokesperson confirmed the airports plan to transition to the new voluntary public-private screening initiative.
As the debate unfolds, the balance between cost savings, operational efficiency, and security remains at stake. With the GAO monitoring the initiative and unions preparing legal and political challenges, the coming months will determine whether Gold+ becomes a blueprint for privatization or a cautionary tale of oversight gaps.
Sources: seattletimes.com.
