U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor is warning that privatizing the passenger screening process at Tampa International Airport will jeopardize hundreds of federal jobs and associated benefits. (Photo courtesy of TPA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA) finds itself at the center of a deepening controversy over its voluntary participation in a federal program that outsources passenger screening.
Privatizing the airport’s passenger-screening workforce through the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) nascent Gold+ initiative would replace over 700 federal officers at TPA with a private contractor, according to Congresswoman Kathy Castor.
Her letter to local aviation leadership, dated Aug. 4, also warned that profit-driven corporate interests, potential cuts to training or wages, and fragmented oversight on equipment management would mark a dangerous step backward from unified federal standards adopted after 9/11. TPA is one of three airports nationwide to opt in to Gold+.
A day later, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) fileda lawsuit to force the TSA to release records that will “shed light on the agency’s secretive push to expand the privatization of airport security screening functions.” The union represents over 600 officers at TPA.
“TSA has been keeping everyone in the dark about its privatization plans - TSA employees, members of Congress, airport authorities, and the flying public,” said AFGE president Everett Kelley in a statement. “And it’s little wonder why - this privatization expansion is a major departure from the aviation security system established by Congress in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.”
Gold+ is a voluntary federal program that allows TSA-approved contractors to manage checkpoint screening and technology. The agency would continue setting security standards.
According to its website, Gold+ will “unlock innovation, expand screening capacity, and achieve world-class security and customer experience” through public-private partnerships. Many details remain scarce, however, and Castor expects full implementation by May 2027.
AFGE claims that TSA has developed and marketed Gold+ to airports since “at least August 2025, but the union and public learned that the program existed “by accident” when a flier was found at Orlando International Airport and shared with the media.
An announcement states that the union filed a Freedom of Information Act request in May and has yet to receive any records or a determination on its request. An attorney representing AFGE said its members and taxpayers have a right to know how TSA “has spent months lavishing its vendors with lucrative contracts while keeping its sworn officers in the dark.”
Castor noted that the vast majority of security personnel at TPA “continued reporting for duty throughout government shutdowns - even when their paychecks did not arrive.” She implored airport leadership to “stand by them and reverse the plan to eliminate more than 700 federal officers and put their pay, health coverage, and earned retirement benefits at risk in favor of a private, for-profit contractor.”
“To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people, and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully,” Castor said. “Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, when terrorists exploited lax airport security screeners, TPA should not weaken its safety framework.”
TPA Chief Operating Officer John Tiliacos also mentioned recent government shutdowns when addressing the controversy at a Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board meeting on Aug. 6. He said airports “cannot simply hope the problem won’t happen again,” and Gold+ could provide a solution.
“Following the last shutdown, the TSA approached Tampa International and asked us to consider the Gold+ program,” Tiliacos explained. “We saw some clear benefits in protecting and enhancing our operational resilience, efficiency, and passenger experience.”
Airports in Des Moines and Charleston have also opted into Gold+, which allows TSA to share program and procurement details. Tiliacos said the transition, if pursued, would prioritize maintaining high security standards while enhancing technology deployment through a commercial, rather than federal, timeline.
He emphasized that this decision is driven by the need for operational predictability and improved passenger experiences, rather than dissatisfaction with existing TSA personnel. TPA is currently reviewing the TSA's draft work statement and advocating for several workforce protections before making a final decision.
“If we find that this does not protect our operation, we will say so publicly, and we will advise this board publicly,” Tiliacos said of Gold+.
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Aug 13, 2026
Security shift or safety risk? Tampa airport faces backlash over privatization
The Jackson County Sheriff's Department released this photo during the search for Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, in Mississippi.
Hundreds of people gathered in Mississippi to remember Nolan Wells while urging investigators to provide more information about the circumstances surrounding the case. Family members, friends, community leaders, and supporters participated in the event, honoring Wells' life and expressing a shared desire for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Throughout the gathering, speakers emphasized the importance of accountability and open communication as the investigation moves forward. Many attendees carried signs, shared memories of Wells, and called on officials to keep the public informed about any new developments. The demonstration reflected growing community concern and a commitment to ensuring that questions surrounding the case are fully addressed.
As authorities continue their investigation, Wells' supporters say they will remain engaged, advocating for transparency and justice while keeping attention focused on the case. The gathering underscored the community's determination to seek answers and support Wells' family during the ongoing investigation.
