Editor’s Note: This story features a leading woman in aviation and is in recognition of Girls in Aviation Day on September 26 sponsored by Women in Aviation International. Through this story on Karin Glasgow, learn about her early motivation and passion for TSA’s mission.
For more than two decades, Karin Glasgow has been a familiar face in the nation’s aviation industry, the last 15 years with TSA.
Glasgow plays an influential role in TSA’s partnership with aviation operators, serving as the agency’s industry engagement manager – aviation stakeholders. She works with the commercial airline industry and their associations on advancing the agency’s mission.
Glasgow coordinates with industry leaders to provide input on aviation security policy and participates in industry meetings, conferences and working groups. She serves as the vice chair of the Airlines Subcommittee of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, which advises TSA’s administrator on aviation security matters, and works directly with industry representatives on COVID-19 recovery efforts.
Before joining TSA in 2005, Glasgow served as United Airlines director of government affairs, collaborated with Congress and the aviation industry as a political appointee under President George W. Bush at the Department of Transportation Secretary’s Office of Government Affairs, was manager of government and external affairs in Orange County, California, and served as legislative assistant for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
What inspired your interest in aviation? I always had a love of flying and travel and always wanted to work in the aviation field. I was able to work on transportation and aviation issues in my first job on Capitol Hill.
Why is what you do important? Our aviation stakeholders are critical allies in ensuring TSA’s counterterrorism mission. These strong partnerships, highlighted by open communication and continuous collaboration, help sustain these important relationships. Whether it’s an upcoming initiative or a new policy, we are uniquely positioned to keep stakeholders updated with the latest information that may likely impact them at the airport.
Who inspired or encouraged you to pursue a career in aviation? I was always interested in aviation and became even more interested after meeting several pilots who flew in the U.S. military and listening to their stories. Having the privilege to work for Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta shortly after 9/11 was a tremendous experience. He served as the House Aviation Committee chair for years and had an unparalleled knowledge of aviation.
What part of aviation security/TSA’s mission do you find most interesting? I very much enjoy working with and learning from our airline and airport industry partners. One such individual is Rich Davis, the former managing director of global security at United Airlines. Rich recently retired but taught me so much about airline security, building relationships and listening to others. Rich was known as the “Yoda” in the airline security community and was an amazing person to learn from. We are still friends to this day.