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groundloop

(13,976 posts)
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 10:32 AM 2 hrs ago

"TSA launching TSA Gold+ program at US airports. What is it?" (tRump is Privatizing TSA)

This is a few hours too old for "Late Breaking News", but definitely newsworthy. What it boils down to is the privatization of airport security with a lot of fancy language added.


https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/5922099-tsa-launching-tsa-gold-program-at-us-airports-what-is-it/

A recently announced initiative spearheaded by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is hoping to privatize security at an increasing number of airports in the coming years.

TSA Gold+ (or TSA Gold-plus) is a newly launched program that would allow airports to opt into a “public-private partnership” to handle the security and screening duties that TSA officers often conduct at the nation’s airport facilities. TSA says the program will allow private security firms to “tailor” security operations to each airport, while still complying with the TSA’s “robust federal security standards.”

A website for the TSA Gold+ program claims the initiative was launched to help deal with “rising travel volumes” and “evolving threats.” But the site also makes it clear that security at TSA Gold+ airports, which will be handled by private security firms, would be unaffected by “lengthy federal budget cycles.”

“Through strong public-private partnerships, TSA Gold+ will unlock innovation, expand screening capacity, and achieve world-class security and customer experience,” a website outlining the program says.
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"TSA launching TSA Gold+ program at US airports. What is it?" (tRump is Privatizing TSA) (Original Post) groundloop 2 hrs ago OP
Data mining. cbabe 2 hrs ago #1
TSA employees are union members too underpants 2 hrs ago #2
I believe SFO TSA is already privatized Bobstandard 1 hr ago #3
When TSA stood up there were 5 airports that were odins folly 11 min ago #4

Bobstandard

(2,422 posts)
3. I believe SFO TSA is already privatized
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 11:21 AM
1 hr ago

That why there were no giant lines there during the shutdown.

odins folly

(667 posts)
4. When TSA stood up there were 5 airports that were
Mon Jun 15, 2026, 12:40 PM
11 min ago

Privatized, one in each category of size/ throughput. I’m not sure how many there are now.

One of and the main reasons some want it privatized is so they can cut screening when the lines get long, in other words, don’t scrutinize as much. The TSA was never a one size/ airport fits all. There have always been slight variations in screening between airports. Not different procedures, those are the same, but just different experiences. This is why travelers complain they could bring something from their airport but couldn’t take it back, etc.
Also there is risk mitigation that the managers are charged with making.

Republicans want to privatize everything in the government because they get campaign contributions from those businesses. They always say private companies can provide better services but it’s smoke and mirrors due to a company wanting profit. Government doesn’t do for profit, they use the tax money to provide services and pay a salary to the employees providing those services.

I know it’s been a long time since 9-11-01, but private companies provided security before that and that was the end result. Terrorists found the soft spots. Prior to that day, the US used to average around 1 hijacking per year. We have not had a hijacked airplane with in the US since then… just saying.

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