Employee Stories
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 (…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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. …
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…
‘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…
Climbing the career ladder: TSA officer to Federal Air Marshal
February 1, 2024
Derek is living his dream. Over his nearly eight years at TSA, Derek (last name redacted to protect his identity due to his current role) has climbed the agency’s career ladder, joining the TSA team at Detroit…
M31 Grenade Found at Idaho Checkpoint
January 31, 2024
Sometimes screening checked baggage can be “like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’ll get (see).” That’s what happened to TSA Officer Jacob Flores after starting his rotation in the checked baggage screening area at Boise Airport (BOI…
Lights, camera, action! TSA spokespeople go-to source for news media
January 29, 2024
Who you gonna call if you have a question about TSA? Hint, the answer is not Ghostbusters. For an agency with more than 60,000 employees, a small but mighty select group of seven are the faces…
It Was a Lovely Day in The Neighborhood—Almost!
January 25, 2024
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) Supervisory TSA Officer (STSO) Donna Adams wanted to give her kids a break from riding the school bus and decided to drive them to school through their old neighborhood…
TSA officer identifies wanted felon at checkpoint, leading to arrest
January 25, 2024
During a routine overnight shift at San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, a wanted felon tried to pass unnoticed through a security checkpoint. TSA Officer Edgard Olivencia was working at the Travel Document…
Kudos Across America – Detroit
January 24, 2024
I was recently flying with my wife and our 29-year-old special needs son who has autism and intellectual/developmental disability. When we were providing our IDs and boarding passes to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne…