Employee Stories

Lead TSA Officer Patricia Vargas-Castaneda works the frontlines, helping travelers safely get to their destinations. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Aitken)

TSA officer helps reunite Ukrainian family

June 24, 2024

Last month Lead TSA Officer Patricia Vargas-Castaneda had no way of foreseeing that her actions would result in reuniting a Ukrainian family fleeing from a war-torn country and bringing them back together in the U.S. 

After being…

Ciocon and her NAC VII peers at TSA headquarters. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Ciocon)

TSA officer brings Pride to TSA Alaska

June 17, 2024

Four years ago, Lead Transportation Security Officer Jessica Ciocon accepted a position at King Salmon Airport (AKN) in Alaska, more than 4,000 miles away from her home in Florida. The move meant leaving sandy beaches for subzero temperatures,…

Early adopter Estevan at TSA’s Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. (J. Trujillo photo)

Father to son: TSA early influencer inspires next gen innovator

June 14, 2024

Jeremy Trujillo was an influencer before influencers were cool. He shaped TSA officer behaviors, changed attitudes and looked sharp doing it long before social media was a thing.  

Of all the roles Trujillo has had over his nearly 22…

Entrance to the new Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport checkpoint. (Lorie Dankers photo)

New spacious home for TSA Pullman

June 13, 2024

TSA officers in Pullman, Washington, have a renewed pep in their step, thanks to a brand new home to screen passengers and their bags.

Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport (PUW) opened a new terminal and TSA…

DGAC Chilean delegation with TSA Canine Training Center personnel. (TSA CTC photo)

TSA, dogs foster aviation security partnership with Chile

June 12, 2024

Dogs are helping TSA make new friends and partners around the world.

A delegation from the Republic of Chile in western South America flew to San Antonio, Texas, to get an up close look at TSA’s Canine Training…

Eastern Washington crash scene (Photo by Amanda Houck)

TSA Field Intelligence Officer Amanda Houck Recognized by Gerardo Hernandez ‘In The Line of Duty’ Award

June 7, 2024

While returning from the Washington State Fusion Center’s Crime and Safety Conference with a co-worker, TSA Field Intelligence Officer (FIO) Amanda Houck drove up on a scene that looked like it had fallen from the pages…

TSA Officer Tracy Kerbs at the X-ray at Bert Mooney Airport. (Scott Tomlin photo)

TSA Surface mentorship pays off! Montana screening officer earns degree

June 4, 2024

It’s the people who make up TSA and are crucial to the agency’s success in protecting the nation’s transportation systems.

The one thing, though, that makes TSA extra special is the care and compassion TSA…

Welcome to BTV. (Photo by Danielle Zieff)

Kudos Across America – Burlington, Vermont

June 3, 2024

Dear TSA leadership,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding service provided by Supervisory TSA Officer (STSO) William Martin at the baggage and…

Getting the Job Done Despite Son’s Life-Saving Emergency Surgery

Getting the Job Done Despite Son’s Life-Saving Emergency Surgery

May 31, 2024

TSA’s National Transportation Vetting Center (NTVC) was facing significant challenges.

The TVC’s Vetting Operations Section, which operates 24/7 to vet all airline passengers traveling on domestic and international flights, is a critical…

TSA Assistant Federal Security Director-Law Enforcement Carina Bertella briefs C-UAS ground interdiction teams. (Photo courtesy of Bengy Tanner)

Full speed ahead: TSA expands security support for Indianapolis 500

May 29, 2024

Hundreds of thousands of race car fans filled the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this past Sunday to watch the 108th running of the Indy 500, and TSA made its presence known.

Indiana TSA Federal Security Director…

DEN Lead TSA Officer Julia Perry named Passenger Support Specialist of the Year during the 2023 TSA Honorary Awards Ceremony. Pictured with TSA Deputy Administrator Holly Canevari, Administrator David Pekoske and Department of Homeland Security Acting Deputy Secretary Kristie Canegallo. (Bruce Milton photo)

Passenger Support Specialist of the Year shows travelers with special needs ‘TSA Cares’

May 24, 2024

Less than two years ago, Julia Perry joined TSA, and she’s already putting her stamp on the agency when it comes to caring and compassion for passengers.

Perry, a lead TSA officer at Denver International Airport (DEN), was named the 2023…

Indianapolis International Airport TSA Officer Jerald Washington contacted supervisors and assessed the threat risk. (CCTV screenshot)

Indiana TSA officer assesses threat risk; skillfully de-escalates mental health crisis

May 23, 2024

Fresh from a challenging encounter with a noncompliant passenger on the secure side of Checkpoint B, Indianapolis International Airport (IND) Jerald Washington walked up on another opportunity to exercise his compassionate command presence.…

 Burlington International Airport STSOs Zacare Orsborn and Akashdeep Bajwa (TSA photo)

Quick thinking: Alaska, Vermont TSA officers help passengers who fell off escalators

May 22, 2024

TSA officers have a tough job. They are responsible for providing security and protecting travelers in a courteous and professional manner in an often stressful environment.   

However, they are known…

(Image courtesy Shutterstock)

Kudos Across America – Seattle

May 21, 2024

To Whom It May Concern:

Please accept this note in highest praise and appreciation for Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (TSA Officer) Michelle Thomas. 

VIPR Team (FAMS file photo)

FAM’s job like no other at TSA

May 20, 2024

While TSA officers have the job of keeping potentially dangerous prohibited items off airplanes, the agency’s Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) protect the traveling public both on the ground and in the air in many different…

Honorary Award recipient Heather Proctor with DADM Canevari, ADM Pekoske, DHS Acting Deputy Secretary Canegallo. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Milton)

Heather Proctor Honored with TSA Public Service Award

May 17, 2024

Heather Proctor is the kind of person who will drop everything to help a friend, colleague or stranger. For over a decade, Proctor, the Assistant Federal Security Director at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), has led the way for…

Los Angeles International Airport Lead TSA Officer Rhonda Vea (right) greets Domestic Aviation Operations Assistant Administrator Michal Rottman. (Photo by Stephanie Santamaria and Charles King)

Officer’s Tongan values impact TSA culture at LAX

May 16, 2024

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Lead Officer Rhonda Vea, who has Pacific Islander ancestry, specifically Tongan roots, weaves the best parts of her heritage into her security work. She does it with the same passion traditional Tongan mat…

These five family members serve DHS. From left, USCG Petty Officers Adam Timberlake and Samantha Duncan, TSA International Operations Lead Desk Officer Marie Duncan, TSOs Grace Fisher and Sean Duncan. (Photo courtesy of Marie Duncan)

Mother’s Day Special: All in the family for TSA, DHS

May 10, 2024

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and it’s an extra special occasion for a TSA mom and four of her kids.

TSA International Operations Asia Pacific Lead Desk Officer Marie Duncan is proud to have a whopping five…

Supervisory TSA Officer Janaia Rhea accepts the CAT X-I Airport of the Year Award for IAH. Pictured with TSA Deputy Administrator Holly Canevari, Administrator David Pekoske and DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary Kristie Canegallo. (Bruce Milton photo)

TSA names 2023 Airports of the Year

May 9, 2024

Their size and operation may be dramatically different, but Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) both took home a big prize at the 2023 TSA…

TSA Honorary Awards Ceremony photo. (From left, TSA Deputy Administrator Holly Canevari, Administrator David Pekoske, BDL TSO Greg Deschenes and DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary Kristie Canegallo. (Bruce Milton photo)

TSA Officer of the Year key player in drone education, outreach

May 3, 2024

TSA’s 2023 Transportation Security Officer (TSO) of the Year has a little different resume than most TSA officers.