Employee Stories
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…
Passenger can’t fool TSA; officers crack lead/plaster case with tech and smarts
January 22, 2024
A passenger departing Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) thought his packing creativity would fool TSA, but he underestimated the precision of TSA’s screening technology and the skill and training of ABQ officers in resolving a checked bag…
Miami supervisory TSA officers shine in handling medical emergency
January 19, 2024
The bustling atmosphere at Miami International Airport took an unexpected turn when a passenger fell and injured her head while having a seizure at the checkpoint. The incident in the front of the checkpoint led to…
Frantic mom separated from child; caring Phoenix TSA officer uses sleuthing skills, reunites family
January 16, 2024
An ordinary day took an extraordinary shift for a TSA officer at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). An American Airlines employee and a concerned passenger approached TSA Officer Erica Vinegar who…
Family’s year-long journey with TSA South Bend prepares autistic son to fly
January 11, 2024
23-year-old Mateo DelPrete hadn’t flown on an airplane since he was a baby. His parents, though, had big plans for a family trip to visit two of Mateo’s brothers in Texas. It was a journey that couldn’t happen…
TSA breaks new ground in Africa
January 9, 2024
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Sniffing encouraged during guide and service dog events in Florida
January 8, 2024
Wyatt Rhoden has been in the TSA National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program since 2010. He spent his first 12 years as an Explosives Detection Canine Handler and the last year and a half as the Canine Supervisor at Southwest Florida…
TSA Supports POTUS Security at California Summit
January 5, 2024
The final stretch of a year-long, methodically orchestrated security plan came together with a spectacular bow as dignitaries boarded their flights and safely departed San Francisco, California. Representatives from around the world…
Kudos Across America – Boston
January 2, 2024
I have to write and say thank you to all the wonderful TSA agents we have met in our travels. I just booked TSA Cares for our flight to Ohio. We are going to see grandparents; priceless!
Excellent customer service in Austin, Texas, indicative of nationwide survey
December 18, 2023
When Mindy Henderson has a good customer service experience, she goes straight to the top to say so. Henderson, the editor-in-chief of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) Quest Media and a disability rights advocate, is an…