Meet Our Bloggers

Moderators/Bloggers

Bob
Hi, I'm Bob, and I started with the TSA in September 2002. I worked at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) for 5 years and am currently residing at TSA headquarters. I started as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO), and have since been promoted to a Program Analyst with the Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs.

In my nearly 6 years with TSA, I've also worked as an Operations Watch Officer, Instructor, Training Coordinator, Behavior Detection Officer, and I served as the Vice Chairman on TSA's first National Advisory Council - a group representing TSA's frontline workforce in discussions with TSA leadership on security and workplace issues.

I live in Northern Virginia with my wife, 4-year-old daughter, newborn daughter, and a 100 pound German shepherd named Clarence.

Prior to the TSA I was a singer songwriter and traveled the world with my band. Songwriting is now one of my hobbies along with record collecting, ugly ties and photography. My favorite type of music is pre-punk garage rock music from the 1960s.

Lynn
I’m Lynn, and I joined TSA on September 11, 2006. It’s somewhat coincidental because on September 11, 2001, I was nine months pregnant, headed to work in DC and heard about the first plane hitting the WTC as I was driving past the Pentagon. By the time I got to my office, the Pentagon had been hit. The image of dazed people crossing the highway and the smoke pouring out of the Pentagon as I drove home is still fresh in my mind. After my son was born, I spent the next five years as a full-time mom and got hooked on blogging. I also honed my skills in traveling with small children.

At TSA, I manage information sharing efforts, work on Web 2.0 initiatives, collect data and stats, and provide incident management support. I’m an information junkie, participate regularly on various message boards and travel sites, and I’m a huge fan of the Darwin Awards and the DC City Paper’s News of the Weird, which makes me want to post regularly on the wacky things we see at TSA on a regular basis.

Nico
I'm Nico and I have been with the TSA since just about the beginning, January 3, 2002 to be exact, 35 days after Congress created the agency. I currently manage public affairs for the agency in the Pacific region which includes California, Arizona and Hawaii, though I have served as the primary media POC for as many as 16 states at one time or another.

I came to the TSA after serving 10 active years in the Navy and am now a Navy Reserve officer with over 17 years in uniform. My wife served in the Navy for 10 years, my brother continues to serve, another brother served and my kids can't wait to serve. A Navy family some would say.

On September 11, I was scheduled to attend a meeting in the Pentagon, in the same corridor where the plane hit, though I avoided the meeting because I was watching television coverage of the World Trade Center. On that day it became clear that the world my children would grow up in is a significantly different world than the one we knew. Securing our homeland is certainly a passion for me.

Paul
Hello everyone, I’m Paul and I just arrived at the TSA fresh out of college. I have several years experience working with various types of news media, ranging from radio to magazines to online publications. I’m originally from Philadelphia—home of the *best* sports fans in the nation. Philadelphia Phillies 2008 World Champs.

For the past 8 years, I’ve spent countless hours rowing on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia and the Charles River in Boston. Rowing competitively is one of the most satisfying experiences out there.

Commenters/Bloggers

Kelly
Hey ya’ll (yep, I’m from KY).… My name is Kelly and I have been with TSA at Louisville International Airport since Dec 2006. In my two years, I have enjoyed working with the public and have helped to train other TSOs. I work part-time and half of my time is spent on the checkpoint and the other half screening checked bags.

Before TSA, I worked mostly in restaurants. Until TSA, that is pretty much all I knew and I enjoyed it very much. Working with the public since I was 15 has helped me to develop great customer service skills that I apply to my job every day and try to utilize when helping out on this blog as well.

I have always enjoyed working with people, but outside of work, my true passion is animals. My boyfriend and I have an Australian Shepherd and a cat, who don't get along of course. I also love taking pictures and have been thinking about ways to combine my passions. Until then, I will be here and hope to be more helpful in answering your questions and giving feedback.

Tim
Hi, I'm Tim and I joined TSA in mid 2007. I'm currently a Transportation Security Officer at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and take great pride in the support I receive.
I come from a US Army military intelligence background and am a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), I specialized in Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) and junior level analysis.

On September 11, I was one of the many US Army soldiers patrolling Fort Huachuca checking military IDs. Holding my M16-A2, I knew the United States was going to change and I would do everything in my power to make sure it changed for the good. Public service has been a great honor for me.

In my free time, I am a proud family man, hobbyist programmer, like to collaborate on open source software, and am currently finishing up my degree in software engineering.

West
Hi, my name is West, and I started with TSA in February of 2005. I work at GSO (Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, NC) and truly enjoy working at my airport. I was hired on as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) and have since been promoted to Lead Transportation Security Officer (LTSO). I have worked as an On the Job Training (OJT) Monitor, and have been training new TSO’s since my first year with TSA.

I live in Greensboro, NC with my significantly better half Charlene, Jacob and Esau (the two cats that actually own the house), and Montana and Darwin (the dogs that are a pair of walking comedy reels).

Prior to working with the TSA, I put in 8 years with the US Army as a Military Police Officer. I also put in 8 years as a Silversmith Apprentice and am now a Journeyman Silversmith. My hobbies include sitting on a pier/boat with a fishing pole and being able to fix broken metal things.