• Who We Are
• For Travelers
• What We Do
• Join Us
• Our Approach
• Media Room
• Research Center

---

• Who We Are
• What is TSA?
• Our People
• Workforce
• Weekly
• I am TSA
• Org Chart
• Mission, Vision, & Values

TSA Weekly: Dec. 15 - Dec. 19, 2008

A bomb technician employs a hand-held X-ray device during a training scenario involving a suspected improvised explosive device. Read more about how TSA's explosives security specialists train local public safety bomb squads. Photo courtesy of the Explosives Operations Division

Leadership Visits to the Field Will Further Support Evolution Evolution: In the FSD's Own Words News TSA Training Beefs Up Local Bomb Squad Capabilities Officer Vigilance Key to Mission Successes Concealed Weapon Discovered by N.C. Officer Officers Discover Loaded Handgun in Vehicle During Inspection Paperless Boarding Pass Arrives at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport DHS Today's Interview with Secretary Chertoff (Intranet) Reminder: TSA Headquarters Zip Code Change is Effective. Read more.

Leadership Visits to the Field Will Further Support Evolution

By Susan Tashiro, general manager for Innovation,
Office of Security Operations

Evolution is a focused effort to change TSA's culture and how we do security. It is about developing and supporting innovative people, processes and technology. With more than 50 percent of our nation's airport officers already "ENGAGED!" and "COACHED!," sustainment is critical. Part of the headquarters support is to get leadership out, visiting, talking, and interacting with the newly-trained workforce. Who better to kick that off than Mo McGowan? In the coming months, the former assistant administrator for Security Operations will be visiting several airports to keep the Evolution "Mo-Mentum" going!

Other members of TSA leadership will be visiting airports throughout the country in the next several months in order to sustain the Evolution enthusiasm and recognize ENGAGE! and COACH! success stories. It also demonstrates leadership's support for Evolution and you, TSA's critical thinking, dynamic and proactive workforce.

"ENGAGE is a foundational element of TSA's security evolution," said Lee Kair, assistant administrator for Security Operations. "And it is important for us to meet with those who demonstrate their commitment to evolve ahead of the threat every day."

Look for more articles on the Leadership Road Show and who could be visiting you next.

Back to Top

Evolution: In the FSD's Own Words

I just completed both Engage! and Coach! training. I was thoroughly impressed with the course content and its relevance to enhanced security. Our TSOs tell me they feel empowered to act on their gut feelings.
– FSD Lee F. Duffy, Cyril E. King International Airport, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Engage the Evolution team with your questions and suggestions at: ENGAGEevolution@dhs.gov.

Back to Top

News

TSA Training Beefs Up Local Bomb Squad Capabilities

By Steven McElroy, outreach officer, Explosives Operations Division, Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service

In a new one-of-a-kind bomb squad training program TSA's explosives security specialists are training local public safety bomb squads to deter, detect and respond to threats against mass transit posed by unattended or suspicious items and suicide bombers as well as multiple device attacks.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are the number one threat to the safe and efficient operation of the nation's transportation systems. A similar TSA training program focuses on helping prepare bomb squads respond to IEDs in the aviation environment.

"This unique training opportunity is designed to save lives and enhance the protection of our transportation infrastructure from the effects of an IED attack," said Deputy Chief Dave Resing, Explosive Operations Division. "It has been very well received by the public service and military bomb technicians who have participated in this training, most of whom have requested more training of this type."

Aided by lectures, demonstrations and realistic practical exercises, the training prepares public safety bomb technicians for the unique hazards and challenges of the transportation environment, where tools, techniques and procedures designed for other venues do not always work. Narrow aisles restrict movement, especially when wearing bulky bomb suits. Other spaces may be small and confined. Trains in tunnels or aircraft at remote airport locations present access challenges, too.

This year, the training has been held in several major metropolitan areas including Denver and Washington, D.C. In 2009, training is expected to be offered in several more locations nationwide.

Back to Top

Concealed Weapon Discovered by N.C. Officer

By Amy Humpherson, customer support and quality improvement manager,
Raleigh-Durham International Airport/eastern N.C. spoke airports

While many people were enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family, it was business as usual for TSOs across the country. At Fayetteville (N.C.) Regional Airport, TSO Kimberly Seymour was operating the X-ray machine when she saw what appeared to be a handgun in a passenger's carry-on bag. She alerted Supervisory TSO Cherie Cooper who confirmed the handgun image and called law enforcement.

Inside the bag, a Fayetteville police officer found a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun and a seven-round clip. The passenger was cited for carrying a concealed weapon.

"While working during a holiday doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun, our TSOs are committed to ensuring passenger safety each and every day," said Michael Zunk, federal security director, Raleigh-Durham. "TSO Seymour was recently named Officer of the Quarter and the Thanksgiving Day firearm discovery is yet another example of her skills and experience in action."

Back to Top

Officers Discover Loaded Handgun in Vehicle During Inspection

By Jon Allen, Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs

TSO Dale Weilbacher and Lead TSO Nancy Brown were conducting an Aviation Direct Access Screening Program (ADASP) inspection recently at Greenville-Spartanburg (S.C.) International Airport when they discovered a loaded .38-caliber handgun in a vehicle belonging to a contractor who was attempting to enter the airport operations area. Greenville-Spartanburg police cited the contractor with violating airport rules and regulations.

Mike Tarman, assistant FSD, said the discovery illustrates once again how ADASP ensures that at any time, airport employees and contractors may encounter security on airport grounds.

Back to Top

Paperless Boarding Pass Arrives at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

By Carrie Harmon, Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs

TSA and Delta Air Lines announced the expansion of the paperless boarding pass pilot program to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Dec. 12.

"This is a great example of a technology that both improves customer service and enhances security by further guarding against any attempt to use a fraudulent boarding pass," said FSD Ken Kasprisin.

Fifteen airports, including Minneapolis-St. Paul, are now participating in the pilot program, along with five airlines.

Kudos & Clips

I just want to thank you for the job that was done at Austin-Bergstrom (Texas) International Airport over the Thanksgiving holiday. We were expecting to be in line forever as we have experienced in past holiday travel at other major airports. The extra, open checkpoints moved the line so fast that I barely had time to get my photo ID out. Bravo to you all and thank you for making our holiday travel so simple.
Fred Perry, Austin, Texas, to Ignacio R. Reyes Jr., acting deputy assistant FSD-Screening, and stakeholder relations and customer support manager, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Nov. 29, 2008.

I was a recent passenger on a flight from Detroit to Kalamazoo, Mich., and wanted to compliment the TSA staff at Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport for their patience, professionalism, and efficiency despite the crowds of people checking in. It was 9 a.m. and there were probably 100 people in line. They kept the lines moving, yet carefully screened people and luggage. I am glad to see such competence, and it makes me feel safer to fly because of their diligence. Special thanks to TSO Corey Brown, who was working at the upper level screening area.
Michael Trexler, Kalamazoo, Mich., to Mike Estigoy, customer service and quality improvement manager, Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport. Nov. 22, 2008.

I am writing to commend you on the security personnel...As I went through the security checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport ... my gold bangles set the alarm off. I proceeded to put them in the basket that had my other items. Obviously, I did not remember my bracelets until I was in Mexico City. ...As I was getting ready to board my return flight, Lead TSO Claudia Guevara called to inform me that she had my bracelets and that they were ready for pick up. This truly has been a confirmation of the fine work your department is doing and the level of honesty and integrity with which you and your staff carry out your responsibilities.
Maria Claudia Echeverria, Mexico City, Mexico, to Hector Moreno, program assistant-Logistics, Los Angeles International Airport. Nov. 13, 2008.

Back to Top

The TSA Experience

TSA North Dakota Pitches in to Raise Money for CFC

By Carrie Harmon, Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs

A statewide penny drive and a bake/book sale were just two of the ways TSA's 150 employees in North Dakota participated in the Combined Federal Campaign, which brought in more than $3,700.

The statewide penny drive generated enough pennies to cover a map of the U.S. "It was great to see how many pennies everyone brought. I'm glad we could help out for a good cause," said Erika Barnick, TSO at Bismarck Municipal Airport.

TSO Kelly Bennett, who works at Hector International Airport and co-chaired the bake/book sale, said it was "a huge success," raising more than $300. "People are already talking about how we can make it better next year."

Back to Top

Officers Pitch in to Help Local Homeless

In the spirit of the holidays, officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport collected and donated more than 100 pair of pants to Bailey's Shelter, in Fairfax, Va. The shelter is a 50-bed emergency facility that provides food, shelter, clothing, and limited medical attention to the Washington, D.C., area's homeless population. "When I met the residents, and delivered the pants, it felt fantastic," said TSO Tracey Hepner, who helped organize the effort with members of the airport's Communications Advisory Council. "It's great what we were able to accomplish with a little teamwork." Pictured is Hepner and facility residents with the donated clothing.

Back to Top

E-mail your comments and suggestions.