Five weeks after Tampa International Airport (TPA) officials said they were considering privatizing security operations, they announced Monday they will continue screening operations with existing federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers.
The TSA announced last month a privatization program called TSA Gold + at airports in Charleston, South Carolina, and Des Moines, Iowa. The program would put private contractors in control of screening for the first time since Congress created the TSA after the 9/11 attacks.
Tampa airport officials said last month their decision to join TSA Gold + reflected their commitment to “modernization, innovation, and operational resilience in aviation security.”
That’s no longer the case.
Michael Stephens, the airport’s CEO, said in a statement that the airport had conducted an “extensive review and evaluation” over the past few months which resulted in the decision to keep screening operations exclusive to the TSA.
“We have worked closely with our TSA team through record passenger growth, severe weather, federal funding decisions, and peak travel periods,” Stevens said. “We value their professionalism and commitment to security and service, and look forward to continuing our strong partnership.”
The union representing TSA workers, the American Federation of Government Employees, praised airport officials for taking input from TSA employees, members of the community, and elected officials before making the decision.
“Tampa airport officials made the right call, and I hope other airports thinking of privatizing their security functions will follow suit and stay with TSA,” said Everett Kelley, the union’s national president.
Among those who called on TPA officials to reverse their plans was Tampa Bay-area Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor.
“I have heard directly from TPA TSOs [transportation security officers] who have expressed their deep concern and opposition to privatization,” she wrote to Stephens earlier this month. “Their sense of duty, pride and belonging cannot be replicated by a private entity. Tampa International Airport deserves world-class security, rooted in experience and dedication, not instability and uncertainty.”