Employee Stories

John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport (JST) TSA Lead Officer Scott Sube and Officer Elizabeth Williams controlled the flames of a deicing truck fire with extinguishers until firefighters arrived. (Photo courtesy of TSA JST)

Pennsylvania TSA officers control truck fire near plane until firefighters arrive

January 30, 2023

When TSA officers at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport heard frantic knocking at an airplane’s jetway door, they knew something was wrong.

“When we opened the door, there was the airline agent…

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport TSA Manager Brian Phillips and Supervisory TSA Officer Deb McCoig.  (Photo by John Dipaola)

Kudos Across America – Cleveland

January 24, 2023

Hello,

My name is Jenny O’Keefe and I am the Director of Residential Autism Services at Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau in Shaker Heights, Ohio. We recently sent a client home for the first time in…

Baja California Railroad train at the Tijuana station. (Photo courtesy of Baja California Railroad website, www.bajarr.com)

Railroad explosion focus of first-of-its-kind TSA international surface exercise

January 24, 2023

Imagine turning on the TV and seeing a news report on an explosion at a railroad crossing in Southern California.

It hasn’t happened yet, but it could and was the focus of a first-of-its-kind international…

TSA Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Officer Dr. Vernell Sutherland learned firsthand what TSOs experience during her Florida/Georgia listening tour. Pictured with Jacksonville Federal Security Director, Dr. Sutherland wore the uniform to get “behind the scenes” to observe TSA screening operations and talk directly with officers.  (Photo courtesy of Brian Cahill)

TSA Diversity skeptic recognizes unconscious bias, describes pivotal moment

January 23, 2023

This isn’t your father’s story of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). We’ve gotten past that. Or have we?

Although the TSA movement continues to evolve, one thing is clear: this train is moving…

book bag, you find reading materials

A loaded book bag?

January 19, 2023

Typically, in a book bag, you find reading materials—a journal for notes, highlighters for memorable quotes, and maybe a pen and a bookmark. But the book bag that passed through a Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta…

Gainesville Regional Airport - Gainesville, Florida

Kudos Across America – Gainesville, Florida

January 18, 2023

Back in November, my wife and I flew out of Gainesville Regional Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina. While a tiny airport, midday is a trying time with folks trying to get out on both Delta and American so the TSA security checkpoint was busy.…

Northwest Arkansas National Airport Expert Security Training Instructor Cherry Hooten checks a carry-on bag.  (Photo courtesy of TSA XNA)

Northwest Arkansas training instructor’s reassuring words tipped scales

January 17, 2023

If it hadn’t been for Cherry Hooten’s compassion and gentle persistence, who knows what might have happened?

The Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) Expert Security Training Instructor was working at her…

TSA surface and pipeline inspectors meet with agency explosives expert Clayton del Valle (right) before an explosives training session with SoCalGas employees. From left on the left side of the table, TSI-Pipeline Adam DeLeon, TSI-Surface David Douglas and TSI-Pipeline Stephen Ackermann. (Photo by Jeremy Herbert)

TSA provides explosives training for largest natural gas provider

January 17, 2023

The threat to America’s pipeline system is real, and TSA is working hand-in-hand with U.S. natural gas companies to reduce the threat.

TSA partnered with SoCalGas, the nation’s largest natural gas distribution…

Miami International Airport (MIA) Lead TSA Officers Shanquita Auguste (left) and Zachary Leighton teamed together to save a passenger’s life at MIA Checkpoint 2. (Photo courtesy of TSA MIA)

Miami TSA officers team up to save passenger’s life

January 12, 2023

For the second time in just a month, TSA officers in Miami came to the rescue of a passenger facing a life-threatening emergency at a security checkpoint.

Just weeks after Officer Roberto Gonzalez…

From left, Buffalo Niagara International Airport Supervisory TSA Officers Julianne Graham, Brian Carroll and Cheryl Moore, TSA Officers Tobias Frederick and Jeff Calkins.  Not pictured Lead TSA Officer Sonya Cheatham. (Photo by Michael Carroll)

Kudos Across America - Buffalo, New York

January 11, 2023

Good morning,

I was lucky to escape Buffalo, NY (Buffalo Niagara International Airport) during a lull in the lake effect snowstorm this week. The TSA representatives had the most pleasant and real disposition during a time that is…

Niagara Falls International Airport Supervisory TSA Officer Maria Homberger and TSA Officer Christian Schack rushed selflessly to an emergency scene to help in whatever way they could. (Photo courtesy of Maria Homberger)

Niagara Falls TSA officers respond to emergency outside airport

January 9, 2023

Every day, TSA officers humbly serve and protect the traveling public – often going above and beyond their traditional job duties. When emergencies happen at the airport, TSA’s frontline workforce does not hesitate to help.

TSA Officer…

Every day TSA heroes from left, Acting TSM Skyler Cook, TSO Eric Ferrone, STSO Calvin Arndt and TSO Angelo Demaio. (Photo courtesy of TSA DEN)

Denver TSA heroes respond to back-to-back medical emergencies

January 4, 2023

At Denver International Airport’s (DEN) South Checkpoint, two simultaneous, serious medical emergencies gave officers an additional challenge beyond the already eventful 30,00 passenger throughput they’re used to processing every day.

A flight boards from Spokane International Airport (GEG) to the North Pole. TSA partnered with several agencies to make it a special trip for underserved children in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. (Photo courtesy of TSA GEG)

Fantasy flight to the North Pole

January 3, 2023

The holiday magic was in the air as 60 children enjoyed the flight of a lifetime. They flew from Spokane, Washington, to the North Pole, and TSA was there to help them on their way.

Alaska Airlines teamed up…

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Assistant Federal Security Director Tim Joseph (right) speaks with passengers at the security queue. (Photo by Miguel Medina)

Day in the life: deputy assistant federal security director, assistant federal security director

December 29, 2022

Keeping his team’s head and heart consistently in the game is how Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Assistant Federal Security Director (AFSD) Tim Joseph spends his days.

“For my day in the life, I'm…

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport TSA Officer Damacio Lopez screens some of Santa’s elves. (Photo by BrookHunter Whelchel)

TSA helps spread holiday cheer to Gold Star families

December 28, 2022

All aboard!
All aboard!
Tickets, please, tickets!

You may recall the beginning of the famous song from the popular holiday movie The Polar Express.

TSA was part of the Snowball Express. Unlike…

Durango-La Plata County Airport Lead TSA Officer Maritza Cuenca  (Photo by Daniel Bontrager)

Kudos Across America – Durango, Colorado

December 23, 2022

We wanted to compliment (Durango-La Plata County Airport LTSO) Maritza (Cuenca) on her professionalism in doing her job and following the rules while maintaining a friendly and helpful attitude, as she helped us with a tricky problem.

My…

Santa sits in the cockpit of a Delta Air Lines plane at John F. Kennedy International Airport, although we don’t expect it will put his reindeer out of business. This Santa also appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Photo courtesy of TSA JFK)

Operation Santa Claus brings holiday spirit to JFK

December 22, 2022

The holiday spirit is alive and well at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Santa Claus flew into JFK, and dozens of TSA team members took on the role of serving as Santa’s elves, helping…

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Yellowstone Regional Airport (Photo courtesy of Aaron Buck)

Reindeer take annual day, Santa jets to Wyoming as TSA gets in holiday spirit

December 20, 2022

Strengthening stakeholder relationships can happen in the most interesting ways. Just ask Santa, Mrs. Claus and the folks at Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD).

Charleston International Airport Lead TSA Officer William Piette (Photo by Jonathan McCandless)

Kudos Across America – Charleston, South Carolina

December 19, 2022

This morning I flew out of (Charleston International Airport) and encountered an exceptional employee. I fly quite a bit for work and have many encounters with TSA, but today was exceptional.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Lead TSA Officer Theodosia White (left) and Supervisory TSA Officer Brenda Nelson confer over an X-ray image. (Photo by Thomas Harris)

Atlanta TSA officers detect artfully concealed firearm in electronic game

December 14, 2022

A PlayStation X-ray image didn’t look right to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Lead TSA Officer Theodosia White, who was working the overnight shift.

“I didn't see a mass in the game system…