Travelers may not see any immediate impact, and the program requires airports to opt in.
WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration is launching a program to allow private contractors to operate security lines at airports.
The move further privatizes work performed primarily by federal employees after months of prolonged government shutdowns that left federal workers without paychecks and waiting in long lines.
The Transportation Security Administration announced TSA Gold+ this week following an internal memo, First reported by Gate Accesswas sent to TSA employees on May 14.
A memo announcing the new program describes it as an “innovative extension” of the agency’s current Screening Partners program, which contracts with private companies to provide airline screening services at 20 airports across the country.
“TSA Gold+ is an extension of this well-established opt-in program designed to foster greater innovation and resiliency,” reads an internal memo shared by Gate Access.
a public-facing website, tsa.gov/goldplusdescribed the new partnership as “the future of aviation security” but did not provide details on which private companies, if any, would agree to work with the TSA on the initiative.
It’s unclear whether funding for the program would be affected by another government funding showdown like the one earlier this year.
A partial government shutdown in the early months of 2026 left 61,000 TSA workers without pay for months. Travelers are facing growing lines at airports and waiting hours to get through understaffed security checkpoints as massive calls sweep through airports across the United States.
During an April 16 hearing, TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said the agency was considering privatizing some TSA inspections to avoid future delays and travel disruptions.
How will this affect travelers?
New plan does not appear to have significant direct impact on most travelers in the U.S.
According to the TSA Gold+ website, airports will be able to choose to receive specially designed security screening services based on their location and needs at no additional cost.
“Opting-in airports will work with TSA and potential vendors to develop and deploy solutions that leverage private sector investment, cutting-edge technology and human capital,” the website states. “This approach ensures airports meet strict federal security standards while driving operational excellence and meeting consumer demand.”
It’s unclear whether passengers will be able to opt out of being inspected by private contractors if airports do join the program.
