Employee Stories

The TSA checkpoint at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Jamie Aitken photo)

Passenger alive after TSA officers’ heroism at Grand Rapids checkpoint

March 18, 2024

The day he nearly lost his life, a passenger was fortunate he chose to fly out of Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Shortly before 6 a.m., the passenger arrived at GRR’s TSA checkpoint where TSA Officer…

Gregory Gee (3nd from right) on a mission with We-Our-Us members. (Photo courtesy of Gregory Gee)

Compassionate command presence: Baltimore officer commits to people year round

March 12, 2024

One week out of the year is set aside to recognize the impact volunteer service has on American communities and to inspire others into likeminded generosity.

National…

A vigilant DEN TSA Officer Deepika Jassal at the checkpoint (Photo by Kevin Rarick)

Kudos Across America – Denver

March 11, 2024

TSA Officer Deepika Jassal helped me when I lost my cellphone. I returned to the check area (checkpoint) from my departure gate when I realized the phone was missing, and that is a long way (walk) at Denver International Airport (DEN) airport.…

MCO TSA Officer Antonio Gomez performed lifesaving CPR on a passenger in cardiac distress. (Photo provided by Luciani Lobeiro)

Florida Officer Hailed a Hero After Performing Lifesaving CPR

March 7, 2024

TSA Officer Antonio Gomez doesn’t consider himself a hero, but his fellow Officers disagree after he performed lifesaving CPR on a passenger at an Orlando International Airport (MCO) checkpoint.

Gomez was only five minutes into his break…

Early morning semi-truck crash site.  (Photo by Brandon Edington)

Early morning vehicle fatality averted by TSA officer’s instinctive action

March 6, 2024

Every day TSA Officer Brandon Edington makes his early morning commute 60-miles from his rural Alabama home in Muscle Shoals, located on the banks of the Tennessee River to Huntsville International Airport (HSV). He is…

Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service Assistant Administrator Karen Shelton Waters (File Photo)

Removing barriers, creating open doors at TSA: Assistant Administrator Karen Shelton Waters

March 4, 2024

Rising from an entry level General Schedule-4 Department of the Navy employee to her current position in a TSA Senior Executive Service (TSES) role, Karen Shelton Waters reflected on her long career during…

Kodiak Benny Benson State Airport, Alaska (TSA file photo)

Kudos Across America – Kodiak, Alaska

March 4, 2024

I am a frequent traveler who recently retired from Department of Homeland Security (DHS). My travel was mostly with DHS, and now it is due to my college employment as well as being a coach for the local high school football team.

Kodiak,…

Cybersecurity Inspector Logan Carson (TSA Compliance

Finding his place in the cyber world at TSA

February 28, 2024

In November 2002, Logan Carson was a young 20-year-old just starting his career at TSA and beginning to find his place in the world.

Over the last 21-plus years, he found it – at TSA.

“My home airport was…

DCA

Kudos Across America – Arlington, Virginia

February 26, 2024

I had to let you know that I barely made it to my flight recently, and managed to forget my jacket (of my new suit and the only one that actually fits me right now) at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport TSA checkpoint.
Out of…

Buffalo Niagara International Airport Supervisory Officer William Brand and Officer Marie Benny (Photo courtesy of TSA BUF)

Lifesaving Heimlich response in Buffalo breakroom

February 22, 2024

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) TSA Officer Marie Benny and Supervisory Officer William Brand, seated just a few feet apart from each other in the breakroom, were not much more than casual, professional colleagues for nearly 12 years…

Erick Rekstad and Justin Keear demonstrate computed tomography X-ray scanning algorithms for TSA leadership and industry partners. (RCA photo)

Eyes on the future, TSA demonstrates potential for open architecture

February 20, 2024

As TSA looks to the future of passenger screening and more rapidly responding to emerging threats, the agency is becoming increasingly innovative.

Worldwide, transportation security equipment is moving toward a…

Kansas City Chiefs fans go through TSA security at LAS after the Super Bowl. (Lorie Dankers photo)

Super Bowl brings record-setting crowds through LAS, TSA security a success

February 16, 2024

It took overtime for the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII and overtime for TSA to handle the record-breaking crowds that came through Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (…

A Federal Air Marshal displays a drone. (LE/FAMS photo)

Drone threat increases; TSA holds first drone response training outside U.S. since COVID

February 15, 2024

The threat of drones is on the rise, and TSA is tackling the threat head-on, not only here in the U.S., but around the world.

ATL TSA Officers Marlon and LaJauii Hunter (Photo by Zubaidah Guy)

Cupid’s arrow strikes TSA Atlanta – three couples share their stories

February 14, 2024

Working together, living together, doing life together in marriage – that’s a magical combination for three married couples on TSA Atlanta’s team.

In recognition of Cupid’s work, we’re sharing the Valentine…

VIPR team members protect the traveling public in Las Vegas. (FAMS photo)

TSA joins Las Vegas Super Bowl party to protect football fans, travelers

February 13, 2024

The glitz and lights were on full display as the NFL took the Super Bowl to Las Vegas for the first time in the game’s 58-year run, and TSA was in the middle of all the action.

TSA had a big job to do – keeping…

Former Supervisory TSA Officer Raymond Alston was recognized by Newark Liberty International Airport Federal Security Director Donald Drummer, retired (left) and Deputy Federal Security Director (current Newark FSD) Tom Carter for his support as lead behavior detection officer during the 2014 Super Bowl. (Photo courtesy of Raymond Alston)

A sign of the times, TSA program specialist’s racism experience etched in black and white

February 9, 2024

Growing up in Hampton, Virginia, Raymond Alston noticed racial differences in his community.

As an elementary school student playing at recess, he eyed a fenced swimming pool on the other side of the school athletic field and entertained…

Kuhului Airport, Maui County, Hawaii (File photo)

Kudos Across America – Maui, Hawai

February 7, 2024

Hello,

 I hope this is going to reach someone who can address our complimentary words for TSA Officer Spencer Bocanegra.

My husband, Stan, and I were leaving Maui (OGG-Kahului Airport) after visiting family (we are from Hawaii) for…

TSA Administrator David Pekoske testifies on Capitol Hill for full funding of TSA’s new pay plan in the FY24 federal budget.

Fair pay, transportation security funding – behind the scenes with TSA’s Legislative Affairs

February 6, 2024

With fair pay a top priority, 2023 was a watershed year for TSA.

The agency’s new pay plan took effect last summer to bring TSA employees in line with their colleagues across the federal government.  

Oscar Martin, two years post heart surgery, enjoys the beach scene. (Photo courtesy of Oscar Martin)

Palm reading leads to change of heart

February 5, 2024

As a 34-year-old Type A aviation architect consulting on international projects, Oscar Martin was living the good life and feeling immortal. However, the proverbial heart attack was waiting to happen. The only physical symptom he had was a severe…

EAA Julie Scanlon and DEAA Kimberly Hutchinson walk through a training scenario with the Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality headset. (Photo by Bruce Milton)

‘Changing the way TSA thinks about innovation’ – IT opens new lab at headquarters

February 2, 2024

TSA’s Information Technology (IT) Lift Cell officially launched its Innovation Lab at headquarters last week.

IT is often associated with fixing laptops or troubleshooting issues, but is also responsible for rolling out TSA’s newest…