Tampa Airport Rejects TSA Gold+ Plan After Months-Long Review

3 articles · Updated · FOX 13 Tampa · Aug 24

Tampa International Airport decided to keep checkpoint screening entirely with federal TSA officers after reviewing the TSA Gold+ private-screening model for several months.
The airport said its decision followed an extensive assessment of security, workforce, technology, financial and legal factors tied to replacing federal screeners with a TSA-overseen private contractor.
TSA had approached Tampa earlier this year with Gold+, which airport leaders examined as a way to limit disruption during government shutdowns, expand access to screening technology and improve the passenger experience.
CEO Michael Stephens said Tampa will continue working with its local TSA team, citing that partnership through record passenger growth, severe weather, funding disruptions and peak travel periods.