Employee Stories

: Boston Logan International Airport TSA Officer Nancy Aquino (Photo by Brian Cardona)

Kudos Across America – BOSTON

May 4, 2023

To Whom It May Concern

I want to shout out TSA Officer Nancy Aquino at Boston International Logan Airport.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport TSA Officer Dominic Cherenzia welcomes a passenger to the TSA checkpoint. (Photo by Robert Gilmore)

Detroit Metro Airport passenger collapses, TSA officer to the rescue

May 3, 2023

When a passenger suddenly collapsed at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), TSA Officer Dominic Cherenzia quickly stepped in to help.

The passenger fell into his luggage after suffering a seizure. Cherenzia, a former emergency…

(Photo courtesy of TSA BOS)

Guess What I’ve Got in My Shorts?

April 28, 2023

Just when you think you have seen everything, something totally unexpected happens.

At Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) Terminal C, an airline employee tried to enter the employee portal but was directed…

John F. Kennedy International Airport LTSO Nate Thomas (Photo by Mark David)

Kudos Across America – Queens, New York

April 24, 2023

I wanted to write to acknowledge a TSA employee, John F. Kennedy International Airport [Lead TSA Officer] Nate Thomas who went above and beyond and deserves to be recognized for his outstanding customer care. …

With the help of TSA Officer Nigel Allen, first responders work to revive an airline pilot who collapsed at Richmond International Airport (RIC). (Photo courtesy of TSA RIC)

Alert Virginia TSA officers help save pilot's life

April 24, 2023

Two TSA officers were in the middle of a security operation at Virginia’s Richmond International Airport (RIC) when they quickly jumped into action after seeing an airline pilot suddenly collapse.

The pilot suffered cardiac arrest.

Lincoln Airport Lead TSA Officer Christina Boyd (Photo by Jeremy Schaefer)

Kudos Across America – Lincoln, Nebraska

April 19, 2023

I am an African American woman with locs and today I had my hair in a small ponytail. My hair often alerts security and today was no different. It is concerning as a person of color to have my hair touched and picked through by others who may be…

(Image courtesy Wayne Arrington)

Alaska TSA officers assist fallen passenger

April 18, 2023

Anyone who lives or has spent a winter in a cold northern climate has dealt with the perils of snow and ice! In Nome, Alaska, just below the Arctic Circle and on the Bering Sea coastline, the city freezes by mid-October…

From left, George Bush Intercontinental Airport Supervisory TSA Officer Alina Jones, Newark Liberty International Airport TSA Manager Ilary Hernandez, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport TSA Deputy Assistant Federal Security Director-Screening Stephanie Kenary

Day in the Life: TSA airport leaders

April 18, 2023

“We would not have a successful screening operation if it weren’t for the workforce.”

Those are the words of Stephanie Kenary, TSA deputy assistant federal security director-screening at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (…

Gunnison - Crested Butte Regional Airport Supervisory TSA Officer Annette Keller (Photo courtesy TSA GUC)

Kudos Across America – Rocky Mountain High, in Colorado

April 14, 2023

Gunnison - Crested Butte Regional Airport – GUC

To Whom It May Concern,

I have been traveling through the Gunnison Regional Airport for over 20 years. In that time, the best service I have experienced has been…

Dwaine Murray (left) and Timothy Brookshire (right), paired up as part of TSA’s Mentoring Program, became fast friends and a source of support for each other’s careers. (Photos provided by Timothy Brookshire and Dwaine Murray)

Career growth with TSA’s Mentoring Program

April 12, 2023

Timothy Brookshire joined TSA’s ranks during a new era of his career. After 22 years in law enforcement, Brookshire was ready to shift his professional goals and job path.

To achieve this transition, Brookshire applied for the TSA’s…

TSA Inspector Shana Castellanos takes a close look at this aircraft at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) to make sure it’s safe to fly. (Photo by TSA ICT)

Overnight hours for TSA inspectors keep aviation safe

April 12, 2023

Work hours can vary for TSA employees on the frontlines, but for TSA inspectors (TSIs), they're often on the job protecting our aviation system while most of us are asleep.

Many of our TSIs are on duty…

TSA’s Trisha Harper sends her personal canine Einstein to sprint the length of a football field during the American Working Malinois Association National Championships in Mount Dora, Florida, in December 2022. (Photo by Brian Aghajani)

TSA security specialist bounces back from health scare, earns spot in world canine championships

April 10, 2023

Four years ago, Trisha Harper was in the medical battle of her life. This week, she and her dog are in Romania to compete in the Belgian Shepherd Working Dog World Championships.

Harper, a transportation…

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) TSA Officer Deborah Johnson, a passenger support specialist, engages with a student who was part of a group of young adults with special needs touring the airport and TSA’s operations at LAX. (Photo by Lorie Dankers)

TSA officers bring joy to special needs group at LAX

April 7, 2023

TSA officers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) put big smiles on the faces of a special needs group who came through LAX for an up-close look at TSA’s operations.

TSA LAX hosted a group of adult…

STSO Polly Plum uses Helena Regional Airport’s latest Lift Cell creation, an organizational caddy for colorimetric testing. (Photo provided by Mike Ellis)

Liftoff! HLN’s Lift Cell Patent-Pending Design in the Works

April 5, 2023

In the basement of Montana’s Helena Regional Airport (HLN), a high school robotics team is developing the airport’s latest creation inspired by its Lift Cell.

In October 2022, Administrator Pekoske released the Innovation Doctrine,…

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Detective Ken Smith presents TSA Officer Ryan Perreault with the Palm Beach County Palm Crime Stopper Award at the monthly Palm Beach International Airport/Stakeholders meeting.  (Photo by Joseph Aiuto)

TSA officer discovers stolen firearm in airport employee’s vehicle

April 5, 2023

What started out to be just a typical day at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) became something entirely different for TSA Officer Ryan Perreault.

Perreault was walking through the airport parking…

Group photo

TSA Indiana shares security best practices with aviation officials from the Philippines

April 4, 2023

TSA hosted high-level aviation officials from the Philippines for two weeks of training at Indianapolis International Airport (IND) to share and collaborate on security best practices. The event was part of an…

Pittsburgh International Airport Lead TSA Officer Deb Merida and TSA Officer Nathan Duda (Photo by John Keddie)

Kudos Across America – Pittsburgh

March 29, 2023

I am writing to bring to your attention the exceptional assistance I received from TSA Officers Nathan Duda and Deb Merida when I was having difficulty walking to my gate to catch a flight back to Washington from Pittsburgh International Airport…

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TSA Tuition Reimbursement Available Through GRAD Program

March 29, 2023

TSA Training & Development offers employees opportunity to earn college degrees through their Government Reimbursement for Academic Degrees or GRAD program. GRAD is a tuition reimbursement program TSA employee can use to earn associate’s,…

TSA canine teams work alongside screening in support of a special event at Aloha Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Nanea Vasta)

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Federal Security Director Nanea Vasta

March 27, 2023

Throughout Federal Security Director Nanea Vasta’s 16-year TSA career, she has learned to embrace life’s journey.

“Everyone wants to know what your future plan is, but I gave up on my plan a long time ago,” Vasta said. “Early in my career…

Jacksonville International Airport Training Specialist Restituto Landon explains the significance of TSA Badge 76016 as TSA Officer Jessica Landon looks on.  (Photo courtesy of TSA GSP)

Badge 76016, the Landon legacy

March 22, 2023

Jessica Landon was 4 years old when her dad joined TSA. At that tender age, she had no concept of the horrific events of 9/11 or the solemn oath her dad pledged to uphold back in 2002.

Working as a lead station…