What Is TSA Gold+ and What Does It Mean for Your Next Flight?

Could this new airport security development permanently alter the way we fly?

While you may be familiar with fast-track programs that help you get through airport security with less of a hassle, like TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or Global Entry, it looks like the NEW TSA Gold+ initiative could further alter the airport security experience. We’ll go over what this new development is and how it will affect your future flights.

TSA Gold+ is offered “through strong public-private partnerships” per the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) government website, and its purpose is to “unlock innovation, expand screening capacity, and achieve world-class security and customer experience.”

So what does all that mean, exactly? This service — which will be available at select U.S. airports — was rolled out by the Trump Administration in an effort to give private companies a larger role in the airport screening process. This privatization expands on a preexisting setup that has already allowed outside contractor screenings instead of federal screenings at some airports.

Ultimately, the goal here is to speed up checkpoints and make traveling easier under the current federal security setup.

Airports will be able to enlist in this service at their own discretion. If they opt in, they can partner with private security contractors to bolster screening processes. The idea is that staffing gets a boost, as well as the technology implemented during screening. Of course, the process itself is NOT fully and can never be fully privatized, as domestic air travel must still fall within the TSA standards. With TSA Gold+, private contractors still answer to federal oversight while managing the equipment used at these checkpoints.

TSA Gold+ has come about after issues with federal funding that have led to staff shortages in recent months. With an increase in private partnerships, the TSA is hoping that airport security forms less of a federal reliance and that any sort of government shutdown or funding halt affects air travel far less than it already has.

When speaking to TIME, the TSA stated, “TSA Gold+ is a transformative upgrade to offer airports the opportunity to ‘opt in’ to a public-private screening model tailored to their unique needs, ensuring continuity and operational stability even during federal government shutdowns.”

In principle, this makes sense. With private backing, a lack of government funding doesn’t bleed airport security as badly as it has. However, what especially stands out is TSA Gold+’s openness to the installation of new technology. The TSA is hoping new tech and tactics are implemented at airports to “increase capacity” while speeding up the security process.

With that said, this program is still fresh, and elaboration has yet to be provided.

The movement to a more private influence in the security space, however, isn’t new. Twenty U.S. airports already participate in the existing Screening Partnership Program (which replaces Transportation Security Officers with private, pre-qualified security contractors). However, it may take a while until airports sign up for this latest offering.

As airports weigh future decisions, travelers should continue to expect the status quo. Existing programs like TSA PreCheck operate separately from TSA Gold+, and you shouldn’t worry about additional fees or signing up for any sort of membership. Instead, TSA Gold+ might affect which airports you’ll choose to fly out of — but that’s something you likely won’t need to worry about until the program becomes more widespread. As of this writing, it has NOT been implemented in a single airport.

If TSA Gold+ does become widespread, we could see changes to ID requirements and other travel necessities and rules. New technology and the possible use of artificial intelligence could change the process altogether. And the privatization aspect could make the security experience at each airport unique. 

The fallout could also vary from airport to airport. For example, the Screening Partnership Program at San Francisco International Airport utilizes private security staff from Covenant Aviation Security — and they were paid during a government shutdown, so the airport operated far more efficiently than many others around the country. Of course, this was one instance, and there is some worry that the airport experience quality will now vary in ways it hasn’t before.

Everett Kelley of the American Federation of Government Employees union warned that private screeners could be getting lower pay, and that a lack of transparency is possible with this new process — leading to greater security risks. Whereas the government is supposed to value safety above all else, critics of TSA Gold+ argue that private companies may value profit most. Ultimately, it’s a debate that will continue to rage on — and this debate is likely to slow the rollout.

TSA Gold+ is still fresh and not an established norm at airports. However, it’s sure to raise tons of questions. We’ll continue to provide answers and help you ease your travel, so make sure you stay tuned right here at AllEars for the latest travel updates and tips.

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What kind of airport security changes would you like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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