Employee Stories

King Salmon Airport TSA Officers Oran Caudle and Cathy Stiles teamed up to find 28 knives in a passenger’s carry-on bag. (Photo courtesy of TSA AKN)

Anything sharp in the bag?

December 12, 2022

TSA officer to passenger: “Is there anything sharp, pointed or fragile in your bag?”

Passenger: “No.”

That wasn’t quite the right answer when a passenger came through the TSA checkpoint at southern Alaska’s King Salmon Airport (…

Miami group photo

TSA officer saves life at Miami checkpoint

December 7, 2022

TSA Officer Roberto Gonzalez started his shift at Miami International Airport (MIA) not knowing what the day would bring. As one of the nation’s busiest airports, MIA is home to more than 1,600 Officers. Through the bustle, officers keep security…

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)  (Photo courtesy of NPR/WFAE)

Kudos Across America – Charlotte, North Carolina

December 5, 2022

Because I have multiple body parts that are titanium, I always need to be physically screened. The young lady (Charlotte Douglas International Airport TSA Officer Frankie Logan) who did this for me was wonderful. She was very patient and…

Human Capital Branch Chief Kathy Carnevale with her son, Sam.  (Photo courtesy of Kathy Carnevale)

HC branch chief shares personal infertility story, describes game-changing new health coverage

December 5, 2022

TSA Human Capital Branch Chief Kathy Carnevale has an intensity in her voice when she speaks about insurance plans offered in the 2023 Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program.

Carnevale, who oversees the staff responsible for…

IAD Airport photo

Kudos Across America – Dulles, Virginia

November 30, 2022

I was flying from Dulles (International Airport) to San Francisco, and a TSA officer asked for my ID. It was in a small leather case, and (the officer) said that I couldn’t walk through the security screening monitor system with it in hand.…

AFSD Bean photo with others

Day in the life: assistant federal security directors

November 30, 2022

At 21 years old, TSA has reached the age of majority, a maturation reflected in the number of leaders who have grown their careers from the ranks of the front line.

When former uniformed officers Jeffrey Tyler,…

Alaska landscape photo

Employee Spotlight on Supervisory TSA Officer Shawn Jackson celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November 29, 2022

Born and raised in the Alaskan village of Kake, population 538, Juneau International Airport Supervisory TSA Officer Shawn Jackson’s golden rule approach to life is a throwback from his native Tlingit culture and traditions.

“Most aspects…

STI Pettenger photo

TSA Grand Rapids No. 1 in ACI poll

November 28, 2022

A top aviation group ranks the TSA team in Grand Rapids, Michigan, No. 1 when it comes to security screening.

Officer Serrano photo

Meeting people where they are at TSA

November 23, 2022

A calm checkpoint is crucial to an effective screening process. Passengers need to hear TSA officer advisements, and officers must be able to clearly hear passenger questions.

This is usually the way it is at Ted Stevens Anchorage…

Officer Jenkins photo

TSA Officer donates life-saving blood stem cells to cancer patient

November 22, 2022

TSA Officer Brandi Jenkins is a frequent donator at local blood drives. Since high school, she has taken the time to give back to the community in this way.

Boise River Bridge photo

Boise TSA officer saves several from river

November 16, 2022

Floating along the Boise River is a favorite local pastime. The river’s “Greenbelt” was developed into a multiuse recreation area with walking paths, benches and picnic tables, along with tube rentals and “put-in” and “…

Mission Hall Exhibit photo

Gift to TSA employees: Mission Hall virtual experience

November 16, 2022

TSA is unwrapping a special anniversary gift to employees, but it’s a gift everyone can enjoy.

In conjunction with the agency’s 21st anniversary commemoration this week, TSA is launching a unique virtual experience of TSA headquarters and…

Nancy Flores photo

Brainchild behind TSA flagship exhibit

November 15, 2022

“Remembering the past, informing the future.”

Sacramento International Airport Honor Guard officers. From left, Lead TSA Officer William Ray, TSA Officers Mary Becker and Jamesa Riddick, Supervisory TSA Officer Mary Angel-Hernandez and Lead TSA Officer John Hammell at the recreated security checkpoint. (Photo courtesy of TSA SMF)

California TSA honor guard participates in virtual honor flight, describes privilege

November 10, 2022

Veterans received a hero’s welcome from cheering onlookers as they arrived for their virtual Sacramento to Washington, D.C., honor flight. However, there was a slight change in the standard operating procedure at the “Travel Document Checker” (…

Frank photo

Man with many hats grows TSA partnerships in Wisconsin

November 9, 2022

Frank Pipia is a man with many hats and is known for wearing each hat well – all with the goal to carry out TSA’s mission and enhance the agency’s partnerships in Wisconsin.

Pipia is TSA Wisconsin’s customer support manager, quality…

STSO Sierra photo

Day in the life: supervisory TSA officer, manager

November 8, 2022

TSA’s Strategy says, “TSA’s most important assets are the dedicated professionals securing our nation’s transportation system.”

As leaders in their airports, Sara Sierra, Matthew…

TSA Family photo

TSA Caribbean shows resilience in hurricane recovery

November 7, 2022

On September 29, Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU) and Rafael Hernandez Marín International (BQN) Airports were set to commemorate the 20th anniversary of TSA security operations there when Hurricane…

Handler Ellis with Doktor photo

Canine Team Creates Lasting Bond With Community

November 3, 2022

We all know not to disturb an on-duty canine, especially when the dog is working at the airport.

TSA’s canine teams constantly train, keeping their skills sharp to best protect the traveling public from possible threats. Their abilities…

Pit crew in action

The Annual Austin Surge

November 2, 2022

Similar to a Formula One (F1) race car speeding into a tight turn on the Austin Circuit of the Americas racetrack, F1 aficionados and international air travelers arrived at…

Southwest Florida International Florida Airport entrance (Photo by EQRoy)

Kudos Across America – Ft. Myers, Florida

November 1, 2022

I was flying with my Dad to Wisconsin for his memorial on Saturday.

These kind TSA agents [Southwest Florida International Airport TSA Officer Andrew Whitehair and Lead TSA Officer Ryan Bacidore] were very gentle when asking if I was OK…