Security Policy Alert: Summary of TSA's June Conference Call for Airport Stakeholders
June 4, 2026
This afternoon, TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders – the agency’s first such call this calendar year due the multiple DHS shutdowns and other scheduling conflicts. The conference call was led by Karin Glasgow, Industry Engagement Manager for Airlines in the office of Strategy, Policy & Engagement (formerly Policy, Plans and Engagement or PPE). The position for Industry Engagement Manager for Airports is currently vacant.
TSA Realignment
Acting Assistant Administrator for Strategy, Policy & Engagement Scott Gorton provided an overview of the new TSA organizational structure or realignment that went into effect at the beginning of May. Strategy, Policy & Engagement resulted from the merger of the previous offices of Policy, Plans and Engagement and Strategy, Policy Coordination, and Innovation. The new combined office, known as Strategy, Policy & Engagement (SP&E), reports directly to the TSA Deputy Administrator. The office is responsible for, among other things, national strategies, roadmaps, policy, and engagement not only with industry but also interagency, with the National Security Council, and across government. Within SP&E, aviation policy has been combined with international policy; Jackie Bester currently serves as the Director of Domestic Aviation Policy, which oversees Airport Policy, Airline Policy, and Plans & Engagement. Gorton asserted that the impact to airports on the call should be minimal and TSA is committed to the same level of service to and engagement with airports and industry.
Gorton did note that aviation cyber policy has been moved to a new Cyber Integration office that reports up through the Surface Policy office. TSA also moved the Aviation Cyber Initiative from Security Operations to the Cyber Integration office. AAAE and others have raised concerns about moving aviation cyber policy under surface policy. Case in point, TSA has recently issued a series of Information Circulars for airport operators related to cybersecurity in advance of the FIFA World Cup and they have been placed on HSIN with little to no outreach or engagement with airports and industry. AAAE expressed concern on the call about this lack of engagement and asked that it be addressed as part of the realignment.
Gorton highlighted other aspects of the realignment, including the creation of the new TSA Modernization Office, which reports directly to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator and is responsible for public-private partnerships and innovation. The realignment also resulted in a new office of Technology & Systems, currently led by Acting Executive Assistant Administrator Susan Tashiro, which oversees Trusted Traveler and Credentialing (formerly Enrollment Services and Vetting Programs or ESVP), Security Capabilities (formerly Requirements and Capabilities Analysis or RCA), Information Technology, and Vetting (which was previously under Intelligence & Analysis). Security Operations, led by Executive Assistant Administrator Steve Lorincz, remains largely the same and continues to include Domestic Aviation Operations and Compliance.
A high-level organizational chart can be found on the TSA public website under Leadership and Organization.
TSA Gold+
Melissa Conley and Andrew Haskins provided an overview of TSA’s new Gold+ initiative which aims to leverage and expand the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) to include technology and maintenance as well as staffing. TSA stressed repeatedly that this was a voluntary/opt-in program for airports interested in adding technology and maintenance to their screener staffing options.
Last month, TSA posted a draft Performance Work Statement and Evaluation Factors and Proposal Requirements on SAM.gov. TSA also hosted an Industry Day on May 21 with record-setting attendance from industry. TSA is currently reviewing the over 300 comments and questions that were submitted as part of Industry Day and during the comment period on the Performance Work Statement and Evaluation Factors draft documents.
TSA outlined the challenges that led to the creation of TSA Gold+, including the capital constrained environment for both government and industry; the acceleration of both threats and technology; and constrained infrastructure, increasing passenger volume and growing passenger expectations. TSA Gold+ aims to attract private capital as part of a public-private partnership to provide screening as a secure and seamless service. TSA addressed several misconceptions about the program; it is not:
- A reduction in security,
- A return to pre 9/11 screening,
- A mandatory process,
- An “all-or-nothing” proposition for an airport,
- A requirement for added costs for airports,
- Legacy implementation of the SPP.
Under TSA Gold+, TSA will continue to set the standards and oversee robust aviation security. TSA personnel funding will serve as the financial foundation for the program with the goal of attracting private capital for technology and maintenance. The Gold+ contract will be expanded from TSA’s standard 5-year contract to 10 years. TSA envisions a true public-private partnership that accelerates capital into screening operations at airports nationwide.
TSA outlined an aggressive timeline for TSA Gold+ with plans to finalize the Request for Proposals early this month with a down-select of providers for the IDIQ list by mid-July. TSA would then issue individual airport task orders based on what airports that volunteer to participate in the program hope to see at their screening checkpoints. TSA hopes to have awards in place by mid-to-late September for up to 4 airports. It would then take 4 to 6 months to transition from current TSA operations to TSA Gold+.
TSA highlighted the key takeaways for TSA Gold+ as creating an option for a new way of doing business; making security seamless, trusted and future-ready; and unlocking private investment for technology and innovation.
In response to a question on the call, TSA did acknowledge that TSA Gold+ would not be shielded from any future shutdowns or lapses in federal funding. Like SPP, TSA Gold+ contracts would be fully funded for 12 months and could or could not be shielded from impact depending on the length and timing of any future shutdown (like the situation for SPP airports during the last DHS shutdown). TSA did say that under TSA Gold+ vendors or even airports or airlines may have more flexibility to continue paying private screeners during any future lapse in federal funding.
After the call, at AAAE’s request, TSA posted the slide deck used for the Industry Day presentation on SAM.gov.
TSA Industry Portal
On May 13, TSA launched the TSA Industry Portal, offering a streamlined way for industry to engage with TSA. The Industry Portal connects innovators with the right divisions at the right levels, helping to shape emerging needs and prepare for an ever-changing environment. This platform allows businesses, technology developers, industry and others to maintain profiles, upload capabilities, and request tailored engagements directly with TSA. TSA has received 150 submissions to date and pledged to respond in a timely manner to each submission. The portal is managed by the TSA Modernization office; however, all submissions will be routed as appropriate within TSA, including any policy-related questions or concerns.
Real Time Wait-Time Requirements
TSA will soon issue a requirements document aimed at standardizing the reporting of real time wait-time information across TSA, airport and air carrier platforms. TSA recently conducted a proof-of-concept at Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) with real time wait-time technology that will allow TSA to automate the manual collection of data at the checkpoint and across its system and better inform its rates and standards calculation used for its resource allocation or staffing plan. Nicholas Kobilansky from the TSA Modernization Innovation Office provided a detailed presentation on the new technology.
Crewmember Access Program (CMAP)
The Crewmember Access Point (CMAP) program will replace the Known Crewmember (KCM) Program. TSA will begin testing and deployment in late June 2026 through September 2026. During the transition, KCM portals will remain active to allow aircraft operators to provide training to employees and facilitate data requirements and sign a required opt-in attestation form. The opt-in attestation is required due to the biometric and biographic information captured.
TSA will conduct a 1-to-1 swap at KCM lanes to CMAP kiosks. CMAP kiosks can transmit up to 500 transactions an hour. As a result, TSA anticipates reduced processing times and queues. Typical transaction times are 5-8 seconds, which is very similar to TSA’s Touchless Identity Solution for PreCheck.
After this transition, crewmembers will no longer need to scan barcodes or present physical ID at the CMAP access point, regardless of whether the crewmember is in uniform or not. The process will be:
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- Crewmember presents at access point;
- TSO takes photo;
- The photo is compared to a gallery photo of the crewmember;
- TSO receives one of four statuses: match, no match, error, or Selected for Unpredictable Screening Procedures (USP).
- Depending on the response received, crewmembers are allowed to pass to the sterile area or redirected to alternative screening options.
Only active, eligible, and opted in pilots, co-pilots, flight attendants, and load master’s from participating domestic aircraft operators may use CMAP. All other crewmembers will be directed to use passenger checkpoints. TSA’s Crewmember Screening SOP at checkpoints has not changed.
CMAP’s primary network connection is cellular (5G). Based on cellular connectivity and performance, FSD’s may choose alternate locations for CMAP to an area of better connectivity if spacing allows. Required signage for CMAP locations consist of a magnet to be placed on the kiosk, stanchion topper. Some airport operators may need to provide wayfinding signage if the KCM/CMAP location is not co-located with a screening checkpoint.
The current TSA.gov/KCM website will transition to TSA.gov/CMAP prior to deployment, which will provide more information, including eligibility requirements, rules for use, and disqualification protocols.
Airport Policy Update
TSA will soon post to HSIN a National Alternative Measure (NAM) for airports hosting or impacted by FIFA World Cup activity to allow airports more efficient options for issuing airport-issued ID media for personnel transferring from other locations for the games. Airports interested in these special event type procedures should review the NAM once it is posted and work with their FSDs accordingly.
TSA is completing internal coordination of the final versions of the proposed National Amendments on Social Security Numbers and Trusted Agent requirements as well as the required update to the underlying Security Directive 1542-04-08 series. As a reminder, TSA collected comments on the proposed amendments during the funding hiatus earlier this year. TSA has completed its comment adjudication and is moving forward with final versions of the amendments. The national amendments reflect TSA’s intent to break down the long-standing Security Directive 1542-04-08 series into individual airport security program amendments.
LEO Reimbursement Program and State and Local Canine Stipend Restoration
In response to a question on the call, TSA reported that its Chief Financial Officer plans to issue notices to airports in mid-July about the restoration of these funding programs. As a reminder, AAAE fiercely advocated for the restoration of these programs which had not been funded since Fiscal Year 2024. The final FY26 DHS funding bill enacted in early May included funding for the LEO Reimbursement Agreement program and the state and local canine stipend program.
Next TSA Conference Call
The next TSA conference call for airport stakeholders is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET. TSA does not traditionally host a call in July, but AAAE encouraged TSA to consider adding one to the calendar after the July 4th holiday given the pent-up need for information sharing.
