Story perspectives

TSA Gold+ Shifts Screening to Contractors at Three Airports

7/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

The TSA’s Gold+ program will replace federal screeners with private contractors at Tampa, Charleston and Des Moines airports.
Rollout begins in January 2027 for Des Moines, February 2027 for Charleston and May 2027 for Tampa.
AFGE president Everett Kelley called the shift a step backward, noting the 2027 budget cuts nearly 8,400 TSOs, with about 4,500 slated for contractor replacement.
Des Moines airport CEO Brian Mulcahy said current TSOs will receive first refusal and comparable pay.

History

Historical Context

After the September 11 attacks, Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act on November 19 2001, creating the Transportation Security Administration. The TSA replaced airline-contracted private guards with a federal workforce of roughly 30,000 officers. Its Gold+ plan will swap 4,500 of the 8,400 TSOs at three airports for private contractors, prompting AFGE president Everett Kelley to warn of weakened protections.

1 of 2

Story summary

The TSA’s Gold+ program will replace federal screeners with private contractors at Tampa, Charleston and Des Moines airports.
Rollout begins in January 2027 for Des Moines, February 2027 for Charleston and May 2027 for Tampa.
AFGE president Everett Kelley called the shift a step backward, noting the 2027 budget cuts nearly 8,400 TSOs, with about 4,500 slated for contractor replacement.
Des Moines airport CEO Brian Mulcahy said current TSOs will receive first refusal and comparable pay.

1 / 2