...and a defense contractor, unlike a TSO federal employee, does stand to benefit from swaying hearts and minds through a gift. Really, though, this is off topic, and a total rabbit hole.
Exactly my point. The City of Atlanta is obviously not bribing a TSO to do something inappropriate here.
You have the analogy back to front. The city of Atlanta is equivalent to the defense contractor here. The benefit is that LGA and JFK are already getting negative press about TSA issues; if Atlanta does not, that is a benefit to them - look at us, we have easier security than these other cities - hold your next convention here.
The rule is simple - the government *at any level* cannot accept a free gift.