Employee Stories

TSI Derek McDaniels (right) points out a spot along a fence that needs to be checked to ensure the fence is properly affixed to poles and wires so it cannot be breached. TSI Tristin Carder tugs at the fence to make sure it is secure. (Photo by Lisa Farbstein)

TSA inspectors ensure robust airport perimeter security

August 2, 2023

Editor’s note: On a recent hot summer morning, I had the opportunity to shadow a team of TSA inspectors at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport as they showed me some of what they do to…

Boise International Airport main lobby.  (Photo by Dee Dee Krakowski)

Kudos Across America – Boise, Idaho

July 31, 2023

Boise, ID TSA Supervisor Nicole turned my worst day of the year into one of the best.

Busy day at the TSA checkpoint at Denver International Airport. (File photo)

TSA pay, technology spur agency growth over last two years

July 27, 2023

The now vs. then is a stark contrast when you compare the last two years at TSA.

Looking back at the agency’s most significant changes since 2021 when the sixth iteration of TSA’s National Advisory Council (NAC VI) took office, pay,…

Huntsville International Airport (HSV) Lead TSA Officer Theresa Musso screens a passenger who competed in the Para-Cycling World Cup. (Photo courtesy of TSA HSV)

Bike cases galore! TSA Huntsville supports Para-Cycling World Cup

July 26, 2023

TSA officers were in the thick of one of the biggest sporting events to come to Huntsville, Alabama, in the city’s history.

More than 300 athletes from all over the globe converged on Huntsville, which hosted the first-ever UCI (Union…

The Texas Tech University’s College of Education students and faculty ready to negotiate the airport. (Photo by Tom Harper)

Lubbock TSA passenger support specialists assist Texas Tech University program

July 25, 2023

For several years, Texas Tech University’s (TTU) College of Education staff has partnered with TSA at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB) to provide their students and future teachers real-world exposure…

TSA Director of Staffing & Scheduling Michael Coffman poses in front of one of his pictures on display at the Dulles International Airport baggage claim. (Photo by Michael Coffman)

TSA staffing & scheduling director has eye for more than budgets

July 21, 2023

You might not recognize his face, but if you live, work or travel in the Washington D.C. metro area, or if you have a subscription to The Washington Post, you may have viewed some of his work from behind the lens of a…

The Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri. (Image by Shutterstock)

Kudos Across America – St. Louis

July 20, 2023

I would like to give a really big thanks to a few of the staff members that really helped me out in retrieving my son’s iPad. He left it at the checkpoint on our way to our vacation destination.

Chief Warrant Officer Two Dwayn Hanford teaches Intelligence Analysis and Counterterrorism at the Royal Nepalese Intelligence Academy.

TSA Intelligence Analyst Dwayn Hanford

July 19, 2023

True or false: You’ll never encounter a foreign intelligence officer during your time employed with TSA, and if you do, you are of no value to them.

TSA Senior Intelligence Analyst Dwayn Hanford from the Transportation Analysis Division (…

Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Administrator Stacey Fitzmaurice provides opening remarks at the 2023 Europe Regional Industry Summit in Madrid, Spain. (Photo courtesy of Jeanette Fassl)

TSA engages with European aviation partners at summit in Spain

July 18, 2023

TSA’s commitment to lead aviation security around the world keeps growing.

he agency partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), bringing together over 60 security professionals from more than 40 air carriers for a…

TSA Officers photo

Kudos Across America – Baltimore

July 13, 2023

I wanted to recognize and express my appreciation for two of your employees who did a great job.

I travel a lot and usually have TSA PreCheck®, but didn’t add my information for a recent Southwest flight from BWI (…

This drone flew over a ferryboat in Connecticut. TSA Connecticut Assistant Federal Security Director-Law Enforcement Steve Blindbury partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service to investigate the drone and referred the case to the Federal Aviation Administration. (Photo courtesy of Steve Blindbury)

TSA, FAA bring drone awareness to Connecticut high school

July 12, 2023

TSA’s Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service (LE/FAMS) partnered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to bring drone awareness to a Connecticut high school.

East Granby High School Technology Teacher Wendi Meunier invited…

From left, TSA Officers Dariusz Burow, Israel Almanza, Rebecca Fitzgerald, Canine Handler Leslie Runnels, and Canine Officer Rusty. (Photo courtesy of TSA RSW)

Incident escalates when Southwest Florida canine officer sits

July 11, 2023

TSA’s Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Advanced Threat Local Allocation Strategy (ATLAS) team was conducting a countermeasure in a secure area of the airport when they began to wonder if they were being…

K2 Solutions Canine Handler Logan Swett, his partner Rango and Lead TSA Inspector-Cargo Priya Prikita. (Photo courtesy of TSA Sacramento)

TSA gives Third-Party Canine-Cargo program in Sacramento stamp of approval

July 10, 2023

The first-ever third-party explosives detection canine team in California’s state capital is now in action after getting TSA’s stamp of approval.

TSA certified canines at K2 Solutions to screen U.S. Priority Mail® on United Continental…

Police officers conduct a field assessment of the Pendar hand-held screening unit during a bag search at New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. (TSA photo)

TSA partners with Metropolitan Transportation Authority to assess new security technology in New York’s Grand Central Terminal

July 7, 2023

In an effort to address continued security threats, TSA partnered with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to assess two screening technology systems inside New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.

TSA’s Multimodal and…

Dayton International Airport checkpoint. (Photo by Austin Allen)

Dayton TSA officers lend hand to passenger in distress

June 29, 2023

It was a Saturday night and all TSA employees had clocked out at James M. Cox Dayton International Airport (DAY). TSA officers were casually filing out of the breakroom and heading home, but little did Supervisory Officer Tina Schaefer and…

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA)

Kudos Across America – Amarillo, Texas

June 26, 2023

There is a gentleman at the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport named Papa [TSA Officer Wyatt Papa] - I believe that is what his name tag said - and he is absolutely above and beyond and over-the-top fabulous.…

Albert Torres receiving an award for outstanding work throughout many years, working tirelessly to help the Rockaway peninsula community in Queens, New York.  (Photo courtesy of Albert Torres)

TSO Helps Reunite Mother and Missing Child Across State Lines

June 26, 2023

A year ago TSA Officer Albert Torres started his TSA career at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), bringing his spirited humor to the frontlines.

In his free time, Torres loves volunteering within his community. One of his biggest passions lies in…

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport TSA Officer Becky Jacobs, Lead TSA Officer Donna Rice and Supervisory TSA Officer Rhonda Spurgin at the Girl Power Luncheon. (Photo courtesy of Donna Rice)

Chattanooga Brothers, Sisters in Pink Form Indestructible Chain Against Cancer

June 21, 2023

Lead TSA Officer Donna Rice was in doubt, and just as she was trained to do, she used her network at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA). This time the issue wasn’t a passenger or a prohibited item.

“I mean, there's always doubt when…

Officers learning TSA equipment under the guidance of a TSA Academy West instructor. (Photos courtesy of TSA)

Training is What Happens in Vegas: Grand Opening of Academy West

June 20, 2023

After two years of renovations, cross-country coordination and navigating a COVID-19 environment, TSA officers now have a new West Coast training center to call home.

On June 9, TSA celebrated the official opening of the TSA Academy West…

From left, Explorer Scout Robert Spinden and Sheriff Jim Spinden in 1997. “The program was a great introduction into law enforcement for kids,” said Robert. (Photo courtesy of the Spinden Family)

A Dad, His Wingman, TSA and Father’s Day: The Spinden Story

June 16, 2023

Timing is everything.

The agency Jim Spinden helped pioneer in 2002 as Idaho Falls first federal security director (FSD) is the same mission-driven TSA where Robert, his son, now works as the FSD of Georgia. But both men are fast to say,…