The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 47,000 federal Transportation Security Officers across 400 airports nationwide, praised Tampa International Airport officials for rejecting a proposal to shift security screening to private contractors under the TSA Gold+ program.
The union’s statement comes after TPA concluded a months-long evaluation of the Transportation Security Administration initiative, ultimately deciding to keep its checkpoints staffed exclusively by federal officers.
“On behalf of the TSA officers we represent and the flying public they protect every day, AFGE thanks the Tampa International Airport for listening to concerns raised by employees, members of the community, and elected leaders over this privatization program and making the wise decision to stay with TSA,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said. “TSA Gold+ is a major departure our country’s current aviation screening security system, which has kept the flying public safe for nearly 25 years and should be applauded instead of abandoned. Tampa airport officials made the right call, and I hope other airports thinking of privatizing their security functions will follow suit and stay with TSA.”
According to AFGE, the TSA notified the union last month that it intended to pilot TSA Gold+ next year across three airports: Tampa, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and Des Moines, Iowa. Under the proposed model, private contractors would manage both the checkpoint workforce and the screening machines used to detect weapons, explosives, and prohibited items, with TSA providing federal oversight.
AFGE filed a lawsuit on Aug. 5 seeking records on the program, alleging the agency spent a year developing and promoting the model to private contractors without formal notifications to workers, lawmakers, airport operators, or the public.
“Ensuring the safety and security of the flying public is too important to contract out to the lowest bidder, and the Tampa airport’s decision to reject TSA Gold+ is a clear vote of confidence in the federal employes who currently perform this critical work,” said AFGE District 5 National Vice President Tatishka Thomas.
TPA officials had initially agreed to examine the Gold+ framework to see whether private staffing could offer added protection against federal government shutdowns, speed up the rollout of modern screening technology, and improve passenger flow.
Following a review of workforce, security, financial, and legal requirements, airport leadership opted against the shift.
“We approached Gold+ carefully and deliberately, with a focus on our passengers, employees, airline partners, and long-term operational excellence,” TPA CEO Michael Stephens said. “We are thankful to the TSA for bringing us the opportunity to learn more about a program with the potential to enhance operational resiliency and innovation, and to reach an informed decision.”
Stephens added that the airport’s operational history with federal staff played a central role in the decision to maintain the status quo.
“We have worked closely with our TSA team through record passenger growth, severe weather, federal funding disruptions, and peak travel periods,” Stephens said. “We value their professionalism and commitment to security and service, and look forward to continuing our strong partnership.”
READ: Tampa International Airport Sticks With Federal Screeners, Passes On TSA Private Security
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