ATLANTA – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske traveled to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) today to host one of his regular COVID-19 town hall meetings with agency employees.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Pekoske has held regular town hall meetings with the workforce via live web stream from the agency’s headquarters. The Atlanta visit represents the second airport from which he has hosted a virtual town hall to answer questions directly from employees. Pekoske also toured the airport to see first-hand modifications to the TSA checkpoint designed to contain the spread of COVID-19 and discussed recent employee infections with the staff there.
“Please do everything that you can to protect yourself, as you are a critical link to protecting fellow employees and airline passengers” Pekoske said. “It’s really important that you practice social distancing, wear masks, wash your hands, and avoid contact between your hands and face as much as you possibly can. This is especially important going to and from your workplace and within your community. We need to do everything we can to prevent further spread.”
Pekoske began the event by stressing the importance of self care and personal hygiene while on- and off-duty, and assured employees that the agency would continue to have a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment available to them including gloves and face protection.
During the visit, Administrator Pekoske toured operations at the airport security checkpoints and baggage screening areas with local Federal Security Director Mary Leftridge Byrd. Together, they recognized several employees for their service and dedication to the TSA mission.