Employee Stories

TSA Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Social Media Specialist Kris M. (Photo courtesy of Kris M.)

Behind the Lens with TSA’s Social Media Specialist Kris M.

June 14, 2023

In recognition of Pride Month, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Social Media Specialist Kris M, whose pronouns are they/them, sat down with us in a candid discussion about their views on their work at…

U.S. Capitol (Photo by Wayne Carey)

Kudos Across America – Washington, D.C.

June 13, 2023

I semi-regularly fly from Minneapolis to the Washington, D.C.

This morning, I was returning to Minneapolis and was in the screening line and I observed a TSA officer talking with a mother who had a young daughter with her. They clearly…

From left, Bradley International Airport (BDL) Assistant Federal Security Director for Screening Richard Schmid; Officers Sam Velasquez and Sue Luce; Lead Officer Bella Alexander; Officers Jeff Waterbury, Michael Gonzalez, Bob Zapor, Frank Discenza and Will Rios-Luciano; Assistant Federal Security Director for Law Enforcement Steve Blindbury; Supervisory Officer Lenore Rhymer, Federal Security Director William Csontos, and Supervisory Officer Leteria Johnson. (Photo courtesy of TSA Connecticut)

Connecticut TSA helps children with autism practice going through screening

June 9, 2023

Imagine you’re at the airport feeling anxious as you go through screening and get ready to board your flight. It’s loud, you’re rushed, and you’re thinking about a bunch of things at once. You’re not quite sure what to…

2nd Lt. Olivia Garner with her parents, TSA Intelligence and Analysis Assistant Administrator Nancy Nykamp and Ken Garner, a commercial airline pilot. (Photo courtesy of Nancy Nykamp)

TSA leader gets rare opportunity to speak at daughter’s graduation

June 8, 2023

Many TSA employees had the exciting opportunity to see their sons or daughters graduate from high school or college over the last few weeks, but one TSA leader enjoyed the very rare honor of speaking at her daughter’s commencement weekend.

Yeoman 3rd Class Petty Officer Fletcher – While deployed in 2002 Louis Fletcher worked as the Captain’s Phone Talker on the ship’s bridge during an Underway Replenishment event as they pull alongside the naval aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman to receive fuel, food and mail. (Photo courtesy of Louis Fletcher)

Employee Spotlight on Louis Fletcher

June 6, 2023

Louis Fletcher served in the Navy as a yeoman when “don’t ask, don’t tell” was the official U.S. policy on military service of non-heterosexual people. When the policy ended 17…

With the beautiful mountains in the background, maintenance crews ensure clean runways for passengers flying out of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). (ANC Facebook photo)

Cold, hot – doesn’t matter to TSA Airports of the Year

June 6, 2023

When you’re talking about the weather, Alaska and Florida are on the extreme opposite ends of the climate spectrum. But when it comes to aviation security, the two states have something in common.

Alaska and Florida are the proud homes of…

Freedom Riders San Jose Chapter 39 and San Jose International Airport Lead TSA Officer Yadira Labate meet the Wounded Warrior veterans from Texas.  (Photo by Johney Radle)

Surf’s up for Wounded Warriors: TSA helps veterans get to the beach

June 2, 2023

TSA officers from San Jose International Airport (SJC) welcomed Texas veterans who participated in Operation Surf, a Wounded Warrior program emphasizing the healing power of the ocean to restore hope,…

TSA Administrator David Pekoske enjoys his trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Photo by Amanda Adams)

TSA on all cylinders Indy 500 weekend

June 1, 2023

One of the largest sporting events in the world took center stage in America’s heartland Memorial Day weekend, and TSA operated on all cylinders in the thick of the action.

Over 330,000 race fans attended the 107th running of the…

TSA Administrator Pekoske and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Administrator Stacey Fitzmaurice recognize Investigations Management Assistant Roxane Jett for earning the Public Service Award during the 2022 TSA Honorary Awards Ceremony. (Photo by Bruce Milton)

TSA honors humble servant with top public service award

May 30, 2023

“Humbled, grateful, thankful.”

Those were the words of Roxane Jett after learning she earned TSA’s top annual public service award. However, it’s the less fortunate people in her hometown of Atlanta who are grateful and thankful for Jett’…

Pittsburgh International Airport TSA Officer and good Samaritan Jason Kelvington at the advanced imaging technology station.   (Photo courtesy of TSA PIT)

Curbside walk to checkpoint proves fateful for TSA officer

May 24, 2023

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) TSA Officer Jason Kelvington was heading back to his post after the last break of his overnight shift, preparing for the flood of passengers he would assist through the alternate checkpoint entrance outside…

New TSA officers in training at the TSA Academy. (TSA file photo)

Day in the Life: TSA Academy, Canine Training Center Directors

May 24, 2023

Each year, thousands of TSA employees begin their journey at the TSA Academy and the agency’s Canine Training Center.

Dicy Peppers, Tiaja Pauls and Virginia Beauman are key players in making sure the journey is…

Administrator Pekoske and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Administrator Stacey Fitzmaurice recognize Harry Reid International Airport’s Koa Purugganan as Canine Handler of the Year during the 2022 TSA Honorary Awards Ceremony. (Photo by Bruce Milton)

Close bond makes TSA canine team top dogs

May 23, 2023

The tight bond between a dog and his handler is paying off. TSA named Koa Purugganan the agency’s 2022 Canine Handler of the Year during the annual TSA Honorary Awards Ceremony this month.

Purugganan described the feeling of learning he…

From left, Tim Lam (wearing a Ao Dai or a modernized Vietnamese traditional garment), with his mom Rose and brother at a Lunar New Year celebration (Photo courtesy of Tim Lam)

Spotlight on Tim Lam celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May 17, 2023

First generation Vietnamese-American Tim Lam brings his dedicated work ethic and respect for diversity to his supervisory TSA duties at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock, Arkansas.

“When I got in, I was very…

Administrator Pekoske and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Administrator Stacey Fitzmaurice recognize Denver International Airport’s Chelsea Scott as Transportation Security Officer of the Year during the 2022 TSA Honorary Awards Ceremony. (Photo by Bruce Milton)

Denver’s Chelsea Scott earns TSA Officer of the Year Award

May 16, 2023

Out of tens of thousands of TSA officers across the country, Chelsea Scott earned the prestigious title of 2022 Transportation Security Officer (TSO) of the Year.

Scott, who was honored at last week’s annual…

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport Officer help wheel veteran heroes to special screening before their flight. (Photo courtesy of Carlos Z. Cardona)

Honor Flight takes off from the Caribbean

May 15, 2023

An honor guard stood at attention waiting for the VIP guests to arrive.

One by one veterans wheeled or walked their way into a designated screening area at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“…

TSA Officer Ivy Costlow and her mom Master Security Training Instructor Tara Costlow (left photo) and mother-daughter duo at Pittsburgh International Airport. (Photo courtesy of Tara Costlow)

Working together: mother-daughter duo at Pittsburgh International Airport

May 12, 2023

Down the halls of Pittsburgh International Airport, TSA Master Security Training Instructor Tara Costlow is often greeted with a “Hey, Mom!” from her close colleagues. The affectionate nickname started after Tara’s daughter, Ivy Costlow, joined…

Sacramento International Airport TSA Officer Joshua Pina came to the aid of an airline employee involved in this car crash. (Photo by Sid Hanna)

Sacramento TSA officer rushes to help airline employee hurt in car crash

May 11, 2023

A certain kinship exists among those who work at an airport. This is very true at Sacramento International Airport (SMF), where the aviation community is committed to delivering top tier services to residents and visitors in California’s capital…

Alabama TSA Aviation Inspector Emily Flechas and Administrator Pekoske (Photo by TSA Studio)

Alabama TSA inspector wants agency to be longtime landing spot

May 10, 2023

Imagine being a TSA inspector (TSI) in Birmingham, Alabama, and deciding one day to reach out to the agency’s Administrator and creating an instant connection.

TSA INV team members gather to discuss a case along with Investigative Analyst Britainy Neuman (left). (Photo courtesy of Carrie Hill)

Death-match case leads to airline employee arrest

May 8, 2023

A perfect set of circumstances allowed an airline employee to assume a fake identity for nearly 23 years.

The man succeeded in remaining under officials’ radar, receiving a U.S. passport, birth certificate and Social Security card from…

: 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.