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Employee Stories

Boston Logan International Supervisory Officer Ifeoma Onuorah (Samantha Whitney)

Boston TSA supervisory officer’s compassionate connection with passenger in need

July 7, 2025

Yesterday, a passenger approached me and asked if I remembered him. I recognized him instantly. 

A few weeks prior, he had come to the supervisor podium. He looked teary-eyed and expressed that he needed to talk to someone. Initially,…

98-year-old World War II veteran William Butler and his daughter, Debra, fly out of Sioux Falls Regional Airport as part of an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. (Pat Slater)

World War II veterans take 'extra special' Honor Flight from South Dakota to Washington

July 2, 2025

This weekend, we celebrate our nation’s 249th birthday and reflect on the freedoms made possible by our brave founders and protected by the fearless members of our armed forces, past and present. 

TSA teams across…

The 3D cupholder in its final form. (PDX photo)

Lifting a cup to Oregon lead TSA officer, cupholder solution stops spills at security checkpoint

June 25, 2025

An innovative solution was born after a sippy cup of breast milk spilled inside Oregon’s Portland International Airport (PDX) X-ray machine, putting it out of service until a technician could dismantle and clean it.

PDX Lead TSA Officer…

Indianapolis International Airport Inspector Dell Hart and his son, Boston Logan International Airport TSS-E Matt Hart (TSA photo)

Inspector’s son lands TSA dream job 15 years after going to Take Kids to Work Day

June 13, 2025

When Surface TSI Dell Hart took his 11-year-old son Matt to TSA Take Your Kids to Work Day at Indianapolis International Airport (IND) in 2009, little did he know his son would be so inspired that he would become a TSA employee 15 years later.…

TSA’s got talent: officer shines beyond the checkpoint

TSA’s got talent: officer shines beyond the checkpoint

June 11, 2025

We’ve all heard the overhead public service and safety announcements in airport terminals, but did you know that at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) one of those voices belongs to TSA Transportation Security Officer Kaela Farmer…

L train in Chicago transports passengers around the Windy City. (File photo)

TSA takes surface transportation security to next level with love

June 4, 2025

As most of us love the warmer weather and blooming flowers during the spring season, TSA’s growing efforts to protect the nation’s surface transportation systems are producing tremendous fruit. 

“We work directly…

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF photo)

Kudos Across America – Newport News, Virginia

June 2, 2025

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptional service I received from Supervisory TSA Officer Johnathon Wilkes at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF). 

Strike Force members at the Port of Baltimore (TSA Investigations photo)

Multiagency operation uncovers invalid TWICs® at Port of Baltimore

May 28, 2025

In a combined effort to strengthen security at one of the nation’s top 20 maritime ports, TSA participated in a multiagency strike force operation (MASFO) that scanned and verified Transportation Worker Identification (TWIC®) at two Port of…

MWA TSA Officer Kristi Rapach with dad and brother before their Honor Flight.

Honor of lifetime! Illinois TSA officer screens dad, sends him on Honor Flight

May 21, 2025

Kristi Rapach grew up in a patriotic family. Her mother worked as a nurse for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for three decades, her grandfather was a Korean War veteran, an uncle was a Seabee in the Navy, her spouse was active-duty…

 Acting Assistant Federal Security Director Ali Naeem honors TSA Officer Sheridan “Jayson” Dimayuga for his heroic actions. (Joseph Cosgriff photo)

Quick thinking Alaska TSA officer saves baby from baggage belt catastrophe at last second

May 16, 2025

Sheridan “Jayson” Dimayuga, a TSA Officer at Ketchikan International Airport in Alaska, was checking in for his flight from Anchorage to Las Vegas for his two-week training at TSA Academy West when he very possibly saved a baby’s life.…

A passenger tried to sneak these Batman throwing knives on a flight out of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. (TSA photo)

TSA uses cutting-edge screening to seize sharp objects

May 15, 2025

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport: Holy batarangs, Batman!

TSA Officer Matthew Simmons was operating the X-ray machine when what appeared to be knives came across his screen. Simmons sent the…

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Quintana and K9 Kejsi (Photo courtesy of Miami-Dade Sheriffs)

TSA’s paw-tnership with law enforcement

May 12, 2025

Did you know TSA’s Canine Training Center (CTC) also trains canines deployed by local and state law enforcement teams in our airports and mass transit…

Jennifer Alfonso and daughter, Alyson. at 2015 TSA Take Your Child to Work Day. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Alfonso)

Born into service, TSA mother and daughter legacy

May 9, 2025

More than two decades ago, Jennifer Alfonso started her aviation career as a flight attendant, traveling across the country from Washington, D.C.’s three major airports. On September 11, 2001, she was in Chicago interviewing for a new position…

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport TSA Officer Patrice Krukowski and Supervisory Officer Tony Adcock rush to aid a passenger who collapsed at a TSA checkpoint. (TSA MKE photo)

Hawaii-bound passenger suddenly collapses, Milwaukee TSA officers rush to help

May 5, 2025

A young man headed to Hawaii with family members collapsed while going through a security checkpoint at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), but thanks to the quick work of a trio of TSA officers, he got the immediate help he needed.…

Salt Lake City International Airport (Photo by Brett Hoffman)

Kudos Across America – Salt Lake City, Utah

May 2, 2025

Dear Mr. Reyescordova, 

I want to personally thank you for all your help over the last several years. My experience traveling through Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) was exceptional. It reinstated my faith…

TSA VIPR teams on patrol around the Boston Marathon. (LE/FAMS photo)

TSA, partners provide heightened security at Boston Marathon

April 28, 2025

As Kenyan John Korir on April 21 became the second member of his family to win the Boston Marathon,  members of the TSA family took to the streets around Beantown to make sure the runners and estimated half-million people who came to…

Hamer helps students at Mary Burns Michael Elementary School learn about the importance of teamwork. (CTC photo)

Aw - How come I can’t pet the TSA dog?

April 23, 2025

It’s understandable that the prekindergarten class at San Antonio’s Mary Burns Michael Elementary School wanted to pet the TSA canine at their career day assembly. The dog, named Hamer, was hard to resist.

However, when…

TSA Officers Shane Eremus and Jaylhan Duroseau greet puppy raisers after screening.

Visually Impaired Travelers to gain from paw-sitive experience at TSA New Jersey

April 21, 2025

The TSA team at Newark Liberty International Airport helped screen 135 tail-wagging service puppies in training along with dozens of volunteers during a first-of-its-kind training session. The event was a coordinated effort among TSA, the…

A sneak peek into the future of TSA checkpoint lanes. (RCA graphic)

TSA, DHS open door to next gen airport passenger screening

April 18, 2025

With airport passenger volumes at all-time highs, TSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are working together behind the scenes to develop the next generation passenger screening technology. The goal is to enhance TSA’s security…

Will Rogers International Airport TSO Patricia Leftwich (OKC photo)

Gut feeling, wellness check saves life of beloved Oklahoma TSA officer

April 16, 2025

Oklahoma TSA Officer Patricia Leftwich – known as Lefty by her fellow officers – credits her supervisor’s above and beyond request for a doctor’s note for saving her life.

After a hip replacement surgery and rehabilitation, Leftwich…