Tampa International Airport Keeps Security Screening Federal

After a several-month evaluation of the Transportation Security Administration’s “Gold+” public-private partnership, Tampa International Airport announced that checkpoint screening will continue to be performed by federal TSA officers. Airport officials said the review examined workforce stability, security rules, technology integration, finances and legal requirements before concluding that the existing federal staff best meets the airport’s operational goals.

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The Gold+ model would have allowed a private company to supply the screening workforce while the TSA retained oversight. Proponents argued the arrangement could reduce disruptions during government shutdowns, accelerate access to modern screening equipment and improve the traveler experience. The airport initially agreed to study the program to assess these potential benefits.

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• Federal employees – Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), praised the decision, stating the union thanks the airport for listening to concerns from employees, the community and elected leaders.

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• Local union perspective – Chris Finlay, president of the AFGE local chapter, warned that joining a private contractor would have meant a pay cut and loss of federal benefits for the roughly 800 TSA officers who could be reassigned, transferred or retire.

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• “We approached Gold+ carefully and deliberately, with a focus on our passengers, employees, airline partners, and long-term operational excellence,” — TPA CEO Michael Stephens

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• “We have worked closely with our TSA team through record passenger growth, severe weather, federal funding disruptions, and peak travel periods,” — Michael Stephens, TPA CEO

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