Timeline of Privatization

Date	Event	Why it matters
Nov. 19, 2001	President George W. Bush signs the Aviation and Transportation Security Act	Congress federalizes airport screening after 9/11, but the debate leaves a private-screening escape hatch that later becomes the basis for SPP. Heritage notes Bush and House allies had favored federal supervision without making all screeners federal employees.
Feb. 14, 2012	FAA Modernization and Reform Act enacted	Section 830 says TSA shall approve airport opt-out applications unless they would compromise security or hurt cost-efficiency/effectiveness, making SPP approvals easier and more durable.
Jan. 8, 2013	Sacramento privatization application withdrawn	After nearly a year of AFGE organizing and public pressure, Sacramento County rescinds its application to replace federal screeners with contractors.
Apr. 2, 2015	Orlando federal screening retained in an earlier privatization fight	AFGE reported that, after more than 18 months of organizing, Orlando’s TSA committee kept federal screeners rather than hiring for-profit contractors.
Jul. 19, 2017	Heritage publishes “Time to Privatize the TSA”	Heritage formally recommends expanding SPP across all airports or adopting a Canadian-style contractor model.
Apr. 30, 2018	Orlando privatization vote rescinded	AFGE members and allies reverse GOAA’s prior decision and save more than 1,000 union jobs.
Oct. 5, 2018	FAA Reauthorization Act / TSA Modernization Act enacted	Congress updates SPP, shortens TSA’s decision window to 60 days, and orders a feasibility review for terminal-level participation.
May 20, 2025	Acting TSA Administrator Ha McNeill says “Nothing is off the table”	TSA leadership publicly signals openness to a new privatization model and frames airport choice as part of the approach.
Jul. 25, 2025	TSA seeks private-sector checkpoint solutions through SPP	TSA asks industry for technology that reduces manual labor and uses AI, remote screening, automation, and robotics—showing how privatization and workforce reduction can be linked.
Apr. 3, 2026	White House FY 2027 budget says privatization begins	The administration’s budget explicitly says it begins privatizing TSA screeners by forcing small airports into SPP.
Apr. 16, 2026	TSA asks Congress for $477 million more for SPP	McNeill’s written testimony praises SPP and says TSA wants to use modernization to drive more private capital into checkpoints and baggage screening.
Apr. 16, 2026	McNeill says SPP expansion is one tool to shield screening from shutdowns	Roll Call reports McNeill arguing SPP helps avoid missed paychecks because SPP workers had not missed checks during the shutdown.
Apr. 20, 2026	Federal News Network reveals GoldPlus	TSA is briefing airports on a model where private operators manage both workforce and technology, with a fast-track timeline from pre-application to new operations.