Employee Stories

A flight boards from Spokane International Airport (GEG) to the North Pole. TSA partnered with several agencies to make it a special trip for underserved children in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. (Photo courtesy of TSA GEG)

Fantasy flight to the North Pole

January 3, 2023

The holiday magic was in the air as 60 children enjoyed the flight of a lifetime. They flew from Spokane, Washington, to the North Pole, and TSA was there to help them on their way.

Alaska Airlines teamed up…

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Assistant Federal Security Director Tim Joseph (right) speaks with passengers at the security queue. (Photo by Miguel Medina)

Day in the life: deputy assistant federal security director, assistant federal security director

December 29, 2022

Keeping his team’s head and heart consistently in the game is how Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Assistant Federal Security Director (AFSD) Tim Joseph spends his days.

“For my day in the life, I'm…

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport TSA Officer Damacio Lopez screens some of Santa’s elves. (Photo by BrookHunter Whelchel)

TSA helps spread holiday cheer to Gold Star families

December 28, 2022

All aboard!
All aboard!
Tickets, please, tickets!

You may recall the beginning of the famous song from the popular holiday movie The Polar Express.

TSA was part of the Snowball Express. Unlike…

Durango-La Plata County Airport Lead TSA Officer Maritza Cuenca  (Photo by Daniel Bontrager)

Kudos Across America – Durango, Colorado

December 23, 2022

We wanted to compliment (Durango-La Plata County Airport LTSO) Maritza (Cuenca) on her professionalism in doing her job and following the rules while maintaining a friendly and helpful attitude, as she helped us with a tricky problem.

My…

Santa sits in the cockpit of a Delta Air Lines plane at John F. Kennedy International Airport, although we don’t expect it will put his reindeer out of business. This Santa also appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Photo courtesy of TSA JFK)

Operation Santa Claus brings holiday spirit to JFK

December 22, 2022

The holiday spirit is alive and well at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Santa Claus flew into JFK, and dozens of TSA team members took on the role of serving as Santa’s elves, helping…

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Yellowstone Regional Airport (Photo courtesy of Aaron Buck)

Reindeer take annual day, Santa jets to Wyoming as TSA gets in holiday spirit

December 20, 2022

Strengthening stakeholder relationships can happen in the most interesting ways. Just ask Santa, Mrs. Claus and the folks at Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD).

Charleston International Airport Lead TSA Officer William Piette (Photo by Jonathan McCandless)

Kudos Across America – Charleston, South Carolina

December 19, 2022

This morning I flew out of (Charleston International Airport) and encountered an exceptional employee. I fly quite a bit for work and have many encounters with TSA, but today was exceptional.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Lead TSA Officer Theodosia White (left) and Supervisory TSA Officer Brenda Nelson confer over an X-ray image. (Photo by Thomas Harris)

Atlanta TSA officers detect artfully concealed firearm in electronic game

December 14, 2022

A PlayStation X-ray image didn’t look right to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Lead TSA Officer Theodosia White, who was working the overnight shift.

“I didn't see a mass in the game system…

Michigan TSA Assistant Federal Security Director-Screening Reggie Stephens meets with TSA team members for a diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility event at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). (Photo by TSA DTW)

Book it! TSA team effort across Michigan to include all, share life experiences

December 14, 2022

From Detroit to Marquette down to Flint, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, TSA leaders in Michigan are taking a statewide hands-on approach to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA).

TSA teams at Michigan’s 17 federalized…

King Salmon Airport TSA Officers Oran Caudle and Cathy Stiles teamed up to find 28 knives in a passenger’s carry-on bag. (Photo courtesy of TSA AKN)

Anything sharp in the bag?

December 12, 2022

TSA officer to passenger: “Is there anything sharp, pointed or fragile in your bag?”

Passenger: “No.”

That wasn’t quite the right answer when a passenger came through the TSA checkpoint at southern Alaska’s King Salmon Airport (…

Miami group photo

TSA officer saves life at Miami checkpoint

December 7, 2022

TSA Officer Roberto Gonzalez started his shift at Miami International Airport (MIA) not knowing what the day would bring. As one of the nation’s busiest airports, MIA is home to more than 1,600 Officers. Through the bustle, officers keep security…

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)  (Photo courtesy of NPR/WFAE)

Kudos Across America – Charlotte, North Carolina

December 5, 2022

Because I have multiple body parts that are titanium, I always need to be physically screened. The young lady (Charlotte Douglas International Airport TSA Officer Frankie Logan) who did this for me was wonderful. She was very patient and…

Human Capital Branch Chief Kathy Carnevale with her son, Sam.  (Photo courtesy of Kathy Carnevale)

HC branch chief shares personal infertility story, describes game-changing new health coverage

December 5, 2022

TSA Human Capital Branch Chief Kathy Carnevale has an intensity in her voice when she speaks about insurance plans offered in the 2023 Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program.

Carnevale, who oversees the staff responsible for…

IAD Airport photo

Kudos Across America – Dulles, Virginia

November 30, 2022

I was flying from Dulles (International Airport) to San Francisco, and a TSA officer asked for my ID. It was in a small leather case, and (the officer) said that I couldn’t walk through the security screening monitor system with it in hand.…

AFSD Bean photo with others

Day in the life: assistant federal security directors

November 30, 2022

At 21 years old, TSA has reached the age of majority, a maturation reflected in the number of leaders who have grown their careers from the ranks of the front line.

When former uniformed officers Jeffrey Tyler,…

Alaska landscape photo

Employee Spotlight on Supervisory TSA Officer Shawn Jackson celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November 29, 2022

Born and raised in the Alaskan village of Kake, population 538, Juneau International Airport Supervisory TSA Officer Shawn Jackson’s golden rule approach to life is a throwback from his native Tlingit culture and traditions.

“Most aspects…

STI Pettenger photo

TSA Grand Rapids No. 1 in ACI poll

November 28, 2022

A top aviation group ranks the TSA team in Grand Rapids, Michigan, No. 1 when it comes to security screening.

Officer Serrano photo

Meeting people where they are at TSA

November 23, 2022

A calm checkpoint is crucial to an effective screening process. Passengers need to hear TSA officer advisements, and officers must be able to clearly hear passenger questions.

This is usually the way it is at Ted Stevens Anchorage…

Officer Jenkins photo

TSA Officer donates life-saving blood stem cells to cancer patient

November 22, 2022

TSA Officer Brandi Jenkins is a frequent donator at local blood drives. Since high school, she has taken the time to give back to the community in this way.

Boise River Bridge photo

Boise TSA officer saves several from river

November 16, 2022

Floating along the Boise River is a favorite local pastime. The river’s “Greenbelt” was developed into a multiuse recreation area with walking paths, benches and picnic tables, along with tube rentals and “put-in” and “…