Employee Stories

Bethany Pesley

Stranded passenger has a place to sleep

August 21, 2020

Transportation Security Officer assists young soldier in distress after mistakenly arriving in Dothan, AL.

When an Army soldier arrived in Dothan, Alabama on June 25, he was left stranded and confused.

The 18-year-old…

Head shots

Recovered COVID-19 officer’s return to duty and prohibited items discovery

August 20, 2020

Working as a team in checked baggage, TSA officers Danny Marte and Joey Lenard uncovered an artfully concealed AR-15, three magazines and four boxes of ammunition beneath the zipper liner and wedged under the pull handle in a checked bag.

Pete Mack and Tammy Rakoce

Part-time Montana TSA officer brings international security resume to TSA

August 19, 2020

After a thrilling career in security and law enforcement, Peter Mack is now ‘settled down’ as a part-time TSA officer at Montana’s Great Falls International Airport (GTF), but he’s still making a huge impact on our country.

Pete brought a…

TSA Honor Guard picture

TSA Honor Guard pays respects to a fallen hero

August 18, 2020

Milwaukee Honor Guard members, Lead Transportation Security Officer Leeroy Smith (LTSO) and Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) Robin Hirschfeld, Carol Ryback and Brandy

Bahadoor picture

Boston TSA officer saw something, said something

August 12, 2020

TSA officers are trained to screen airport passengers, bags and cargo for prohibited and dangerous items, but Boston Officer Melvin Castellano took his training to the next level. When Castellano saw something suspicious at Boston Logan…

TSA honors Amtrak police chief

TSA honors Amtrak police chief retiring after 47 years

August 7, 2020

After 47 years in law enforcement, Amtrak Police Chief Neil Trugman is retiring, and TSA paid tribute to him at his retirement ceremony at Union Station in Washington, D.C.

TSA Surface Division Executive Director Scott Gorton…

Denver Transportation Security Officer

Kudos Across America – Denver

August 5, 2020

I had the most awesome people helping me go through security.

K9 checking bag

TSA doing its part to keep waters safe during COVID-19

July 30, 2020

TSA is best known for screening travelers at the nation’s airports, but the agency also carries out a key role in securing all parts of the U.S. transportation network, including our waterways.

While the U.S. Coast Guard is the lead…

TSA Boston Staff picture

Action and Compassion in Boston

July 30, 2020

The last thing any TSA officer wants to hear during a shift is “Call 911!”

That’s exactly what happened on July 14 in the Boston/Logan International Airport (BOS) when a passenger, traveling with his two young daughters, fell to the…

STSO Kenney TSO Claudia Vigliotta

Situational awareness and teamwork at Boston Logan International Airport prevents security breach

July 27, 2020

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer reacted quickly to stop a man who attempted to get through an exit lane and into the secure area of Boston Logan International Airport.

Transportation Security Officer (TSO) Claudia Vigliotta…

EAC Presentation

Los Angeles employee group connects with workforce

July 21, 2020

Connecting with every TSA officer is a challenge the agency’s leadership tackles head-on every day. It’s an especially huge challenge at our nation’s largest airports.

“With over 2,000 officers and personnel at Los Angeles International…

COBRA Exercise

COBRA exercise strengthens TSA’s law enforcement partnerships

July 20, 2020

TSA employees recently came together with 14 law enforcement partners from federal, state and local agencies to hone their skills during a Collaborative Operation By Response Agency (COBRA) deployment exercise.

This collaborative and…

Virtual Classes pic

TSA Oregon Holds Virtual Professional Workshops

July 17, 2020

Even with so much going on in the present, TSA Oregon hasn’t forgotten to prepare for the future.

When Oregon Federal Security Director (FSD) Stephen Taber asked Assistant FSD-Mission Support Kathleen McDonald to create an all-inclusive…

Dr. Fabrice Czarnecki

Getting to Know the People in the Know: Chief Medical Officer Dr. Fabrice Czarnecki

July 13, 2020

Editor’s Note: As TSA’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Fabrice Czarnecki helps ensure the TSA workforce is mission ready. He manages health policy, maintains medical records and serves as TSA’s physician authority for medical determinations. In…

Wedding Photo

Off-duty canine Officers ‘dressed to the nines’ for partners’ wedding

July 6, 2020

To watch an explosive detection canine officer and handler working in tandem is to see trust at work. The faith they have in one another radiates through the leash as they unite in one mission and purpose — to sniff out danger. They become life…

Burbank Employees

California employees’ group plays key role in improving workplace

July 1, 2020

TSA employee morale at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, and its spoke airports is on the rise, thanks in large part to an employees’ group called the Employee Advisory Council (EAC). Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, TSA’s National…

EAA Walton Official Pic

Getting to know the people in the know: Executive Assistant Administrator Kimberly Walton

June 30, 2020

Editor’s Note: As Executive Assistant Administrator for Enterprise Support for TSA, Kimberly Walton’s responsibilities include overseeing human resources, acquisitions and procurement, training, logistics and other critical enterprise support…

AI 2.0 Banner

TSA looks toward future with new Administrator’s Intent

June 26, 2020

TSA has its eyes on the future!

Administrator David Pekoske this week released the second phase of his Administrator’s Intent (AI). AI 2.0 is designed to build on the successes achieved to date and takes into account lessons learned from…

Carrie Saucier

Acts of kindness in Mississippi

June 25, 2020

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” You’ve probably heard that phrase, which is super relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been a rough time for thousands of TSA employees, but many are facing the adversity with a smile…

Ttarado at IND

It’s a Dog’s Life

June 15, 2020

A longtime and well-loved TSA canine is calling it a career. TTirado is retiring.