Tampa, Des Moines and Charleston Airports Transition to Gold+ Private Screening

The shift toward private security follows a push for the new voluntary public-private screening initiative. For months, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been caught in a funding stalemate, leaving the TSA to operate with a workforce that is increasingly unwilling to work for free.

Gold+ and the Shift to Private Screening

The new voluntary initiative, known as Gold+, expands upon a program established in 2004. Under the existing Screening Partnership Program (SPP), about 20 airports—including San Francisco International—already utilize private security companies. These companies are chosen by the federal government, though the TSA maintains oversight and authority over all procedures.

The primary draw for airports is stability. Private screeners are paid through pre-funded federal contracts, meaning they continue to receive checks even when the government shuts down. Doug Yakel, a spokesperson for SFO, noted that this has helped maintain operations during shutdowns.

However, the transition is not without friction. The union representing federal screeners argues that privatization is a mechanism to erode job protections and slash pay. While private operators must meet federal safety standards, they cannot exceed what it would cost the federal government to screen at that airport, and the union argues privatization is a way to cut pay and benefits.

Tampa, Charleston, and Des Moines Airports Adopt TSA Gold+ Private Screening

The Funding Lapse and ‘Zero-Dollar’ Paychecks

The push for privatization intensified after a partial government shutdown began on Valentine’s Day. The funding lapse, centered on disputes over immigration enforcement reforms, left TSA employees working without pay. Many of these officers were facing eviction notices and vehicle repossessions.

The financial strain led to a spike in absences and resignations. At least 376 have quit their jobs altogether since the shutdown began, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Airport	Call-out Rate During Shutdown
Long Beach Airport	21%

The instability reached a breaking point at major hubs. Travelers in cities like Houston, Atlanta and New Orleans reported delays long enough to miss flights.

Tampa, Des Moines, and Charleston Airports Shift to Gold+ Private Security

ICE Deployment and ‘Nonspecialized’ Support

To assist the Transportation Security Administration, President Donald Trump deployed federal immigration agents to U.S. airports to help with security, such as guarding exit lanes or checking passenger IDs. The deployment was met with concerns that their presence may escalate tensions.

Federal immigration agents were seen at Newark Liberty International Airport, Monday, March 23, 2026. The list of airports where agents have been deployed includes Chicago-O’Hare, Cleveland Hopkins, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Houston’s William P. Hobby, Houston’s Bush Intercontinental, John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, Louis Armstrong New Orleans, Luis Munoz Marin, Newark Liberty, Philadelphia, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Pittsburgh, and Southwest Florida International.

The Economic Reality of the Screening Workforce

Beyond the political volatility, the TSA is battling a fundamental problem with worker retention. These figures, combined with poor work-life balance and inconsistent management, have left the agency vulnerable.

Three Airports Adopt Gold+ Private Screening to Avoid Shutdown Staffing Chaos

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has previously warned that these underlying issues would lead to persistent workforce attrition. A 2023 GAO study on morale of TSA screening officers found that they had low job satisfaction, despite a small improvement in morale from a recent raise.

This environment creates a cycle where federal employees are the only ones bearing the risk of government shutdowns. Federal workers must continue reporting for duty during a lapse in funding or face termination, whereas private contractors are insulated by their contracts.

For now, the three airports opting out of federal screening are betting that the private sector is the way to ensure security operations continue.