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 with the airline, flying in from Miami the previous day.
“At the beginning of my interview, someone came into the room startled and mentioned that a plane had crashed into a building, initially thought to be a smaller plane,” Alfonso said. “As the interview continued, phones began to ring, and a second person entered the room announcing that my interview needed to be canceled.”
In the following months, people were afraid to fly, and Alfonso opted for a voluntary furlough from her flight attendant position. Five months pregnant, she heard about a new organization whose sole purpose was to secure air travel. At the time, TSA was in its infancy; a new program stood up to prevent bad actors in aviation.
“I felt called to TSA,” Alfonso said. “It felt like the place where I should be.”
As part of the agency’s first groups of employees, Alfonso was also the first pregnant TSA employee at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
“There were no maternity uniforms because at the beginning, there weren’t any uniforms,” recalled Alfonso. “We all wore white shirts and navy or black pants. But once we got uniforms, I couldn’t fit into anything, so one of my coworkers, who was a seamstress on the side, volunteered to alter my uniform into a maternity top.”
Alfonso gave birth to her daughter, Alyson, in April 2003 and has stayed with TSA ever since. She advanced into different positions throughout her career and is now a Supervisory Program Analyst at FLL. As for Alyson, she followed in her mother’s footsteps and joined TSA two years ago as a TSA officer.
“I always remember my mom telling me the importance of TSA and why it was created,” said Alyson. “Even though I was born after 9/11, she never let me forget the impact of that day and how it shaped everything, including why she does what she does.”
In a full circle moment, Alyson remembers going to Take Your Child to Work Day with her mom.
“The first time I went, I was 12, and it left a lasting impression on me,” said Alyson. “I was fascinated by everything I saw, especially the TSA canines and how they’re trained to detect explosive materials. I also got to see what images look like on the X-ray machines, meet several TSA officers, and hear firsthand about their roles and the powerful stories behind their work at TSA.”
Alfonso is proud of her daughter and everything she has accomplished in two years at TSA, knowing Alyson has big dreams to pursue a career at U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP).
“I think it’s a combination between my husband and me,” said Alfonso. “For many years, my husband was a team lead for SWAT, and now he’s a captain in the North Miami Beach Police Department. CBP provides that perfect blend of a little bit of law enforcement and a little bit of national security protection.”
The Alfonsos are an example of how family can shape who we are and who we become. Their connection remains strong, still serving the same TSA mission.
“If I had to choose one word to describe my mom, it would be fearless,” said Alyson. “She’s never hesitated to speak her mind or stand up for others, and she’s always faced challenges head-on. I especially saw this when she accepted a promotion at TSA headquarters in Virginia, and even though it meant living on her own and being away from family for a while, she embraced the opportunity without hesitation.”
Kimberlyn Pepe, TSA Strategic Communications & Public Affairs