TAMPA, FL — Tampa International Airport will continue using federal Transportation Security Administration officers to screen passengers after completing a review of a proposed program that would have shifted checkpoint operations to a private workforce.
After the review, the airport has decided not to adopt TSA Gold+, a partnership model that would allow a private company and its employees to conduct airport screening under TSA oversight, according to a news release.
TPA officials began evaluating the program earlier this year after the TSA approached the airport about participating in a pilot program.
The airport initially opted in to review whether the program could help prevent security-screening disruptions during future federal government shutdowns, provide access to new screening technology and improve the passenger experience, the news release said.
The airport said its evaluation included security, workforce, technology, financial and legal considerations.
"We approached Gold+ carefully and deliberately, with a focus on our passengers, employees, airline partners, and long-term operational excellence," TPA CEO Michael Stephens said in a statement.
Stephens said the airport has worked closely with its TSA team through record passenger growth, severe weather, federal funding disruptions and peak travel periods.
"We value their professionalism and commitment to security and service, and look forward to continuing our strong partnership," he said.
The decision means passenger screening at Tampa International will remain exclusively under the federal TSA workforce.
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