Employee Stories

Carrie Hill stands with her U.S. Secret Service Academy classmates during a training exercise.  (Photo provided by Carrie Hill)

Celebrating National Women’s History Month: TSA Special Agent Carrie Hill

March 21, 2023

For 20 years, Carrie Hill dedicated her life to the U.S. Secret Service (USSS). Though the hours were long and often took her far away from home, working for the USSS created opportunities for Hill to explore the world, hone her leadership skills…

Louisiana TSA Program Specialist and family awarded Governor’s Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities Family of the Year

Louisiana TSA Program Specialist and family awarded Governor’s Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities Family of the Year

March 21, 2023

When someone is asked whether they prefer the a.m. or the p.m. shift, their answer usually reveals personal character traits and offers insights about when and how they spend their time outside of work.

“I’m an a.m. person,” said Michael…

. Members of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Atlanta Regional Field Office in 1998. From left, Special Agents Mikle George, Fred Mays, Jerald Dalton, Mamie Kinzig and Willie Creech; Special Agent in Charge Charlie Robertson and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daryl Adams.  (Photo courtesy of Mamie Kinzig)

Employee Spotlight: Mamie Kinzig

March 15, 2023

As a college student, Mamie Kinzig’s career path was influenced by a woman excelling in the predominately male field of law enforcement. 

“Gale Buckner was a decorated Special Agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and…

A Sharpie turned into a shiv with a full-length spike of fiberglass and a sharp tip was caught at the checkpoint by Huntsville International Airport TSA Officers Germaine Galarza and Michael Lombardo. Below is a regular Sharpie marker. (Photo courtesy of TSA Huntsville)

Great Catch: Alabama TSA officers prevent shiv disguised as Sharpie from getting on plane

March 15, 2023

TSA Officer Michael Lombardo was operating the Computed Tomography X-ray at Huntsville International Airport when he observed an image that caught his eye. It turned out to be a Sharpie marker that was actually sharp – razor sharp. 

Members of TSA’s delegation participate in the 2023 Asia-Pacific Regional Industry Summit in Sydney, Australia. Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Administrator Stacey Fitzmaurice is in the middle. (Photo provided)

TSA advances aviation security in Asia-Pacific

March 10, 2023

TSA’s effort to further advance transportation security around the world is taking another step forward.

Representatives from 29 foreign air carriers and U.S. aircraft operators participated in an Asia-Pacific Regional Industry Summit,…

Ashley Rivenburg, a Supervisory Federal Air Marshal for the TSA. | Courtesy of Ashley Rivenburg

This Federal Air Marshal Didn’t Let a Fear of Failure Stand in the Way of Her Success

March 9, 2023

As a young adult thinking about her future career, Ashley Rivenburg felt compelled to serve—and it was this feeling that led her to joining the TSA, where she is currently the Supervisory Federal Air Marshal (FAM) of…

Salt Lake City

Kudos Across America – Salt Lake City, Utah

March 8, 2023

To Whom This May Concern,

I want to give a big Thank You (even two years later) to STSO Harley Higgs.

Harry Reid International Airport Customer Support and Quality Improvement Manager Pauline Arroyo (Photo by Shaun Phillips)

Customer experience experts strike gold

March 7, 2023

Complaining passengers are nothing new for TSA employees.

Whether working at the checkpoint or baggage screening, front-line employees make every effort to give passengers a pleasant customer experience. But…

Santa Barbara Airport terminal.  (Photo by Glen Hermann)

Kudos Across America – Santa Barbara, California

March 2, 2023

I would like to take this opportunity compliment the entire staff at the Santa Barbara Airport and a special shout out to TSA Officer Hermann Fassbind.

Keith Gray and former TSA canine TTirado set off on a road trip to meet TTirado’s namesake family. (Photo courtesy of Keith Gray)

Retired TSA canine scratches item off bucket list

March 1, 2023

Former TSA canine TTirado is enjoying the slow days of retirement.

His 40-hour work weeks are now consumed with naps and snacks, but he is also keeping busy by digging away at his retirement bucket list.

From left, Burlington International Airport TSA new hires Michael Lukan, Sabriyah Sharp, Zachary Guthrie, Brendan Chalmers and Braydon Allen (Photo courtesy of TSA BTV)

Five new hires on track thanks to cross-country training collaboration

February 22, 2023

The result of a telephone call two days before Christmas between TSA leadership at opposite ends of the country showed just how agile the agency is.

Due to a combination of unexpected employee moves, Vermont’s…

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport TSM Oliver Jodloman  (Photo courtesy of Oliver Jodloman)

Kudos Across America – Honolulu

February 22, 2023

I would like to give my sincere appreciation for TSA Manager Olivier Jodloman at the Honolulu (Daniel K. Inouye International) Airport. He assisted us when we signed up for TSA Cares for my toddler.

He was extremely friendly and helped us…

Here’s a sneak peek at the TSA Phoenix Coordination Center. (Photo courtesy of PHX Coordination Center)

Behind the scenes at Phoenix Coordination Center for Super Bowl LVII

February 21, 2023

As tens of thousands of rabid football fans flocked to Phoenix for Super Bowl LVII, they saw TSA protecting the public in many ways – at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) checkpoints, canine patrols at the…

The Palmetto PA-15 Multi AR .300 caliber firearm discovered by MSY TSO Derrick Williams. (Photo by Brad Meyer)

This Isn’t a Threat Image Projection (TIP); Stay Vigilant

February 17, 2023

At Mardi Gras time, you would expect to find images of strings of colored beads, king cake and other trinkets in carry-on luggage at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) checkpoint.

But…

Deputy Director of TSA Academy West Tiaja Pauls speaks to students. (Photo courtesy of Tiaja Pauls)

Celebrating Black History Month with a spotlight on Tiaja Pauls

February 16, 2023

Tiaja Pauls likes to ask questions.

She’s the person who will unapologetically raise her hand to ask a clarifying question when everyone else in the room just wants the long-winded meeting to end.

“I’ve always been inquisitive,”…

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport TSA canine Bona. (Photo by Lorie Dankers)

TSA’s super sniffers sparkle at Super Bowl

February 15, 2023

TSA’s top noses were in full sniffing mode for Super Bowl LVII.

Over 100 canines from around the country were called into action to support Super Bowl transportation security efforts in Phoenix.

Just…

Phoenix International Sky Harbor (Photo courtesy of Skyharbor.com)

Kudos Across America – Phoenix

February 14, 2023

I contacted TSA Cares because I'm disabled and unable to perform required screening tasks. From Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, three hours before my flight, Officer (Salethia) Carr from TSA called me to let…

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport TSA Officer Shemsi Papraniku conducts a bag search. (Photo by Patricia Mancha)

TSA officers super stoked Super Bowl came to Phoenix

February 13, 2023

Kansas City Chiefs fans are celebrating today after their team’s big win in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, and it could be the busiest day in the history of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

TSA…

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport TSA Officers Jeannie Brown and Carol Clark (Photo by Todd Hokanson)

Kudos Across America – Amarillo, Texas – Cowboy Country

February 10, 2023

Editor’s Note: These comments came from customer compliment cards.

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport TSA Officers Jeannie Brown and Carol Clark made me laugh.  Never had such an awesome…

TSA Manager Lori Avizof discusses security screening during a Fear of Flying seminar at Lehigh Valley International Airport. (Photo by Lisa Farbstein)

Turning fear of flying into fearless flying

February 1, 2023

A handful of people trickled into a conference room at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania, each somewhat hesitant to even step foot in the terminal. They came to attend a free airport-run seminar for…