Hard Work Pays Off For Transportation Security Officer
Focus On People
February 23, 2007
Walking through Baltimore-Washington International Airport with Transportation Security Officer Libby Cimbolo, it's clear that her unassuming shrug - "I just like working with people" - is an understatement. Everyone from airline ticket agents to bus drivers to fellow TSOs greet Cimbolo with a smile and a bright hello, which she returns, greeting each person by name.
With TSA since June 2002, Cimbolo is among the two dozen most senior TSOs at BWI. Because of the scheduling flexibility her seniority affords, she has not put in for promotions. And that seniority - along with an unblemished record for passing recertification tests and never having taken unscheduled leave - put Cimbolo among the first 5,500 TSOs promoted to E-Band last fall.
"It's great to get a big bump to recognize merit above and beyond seniority," Cimbolo said. "I've seen a huge change since I joined up as far as growth potential for this job, and the new opportunities with the E-Band drive the morale for those looking to get it in the future."
With master and expert TSO positions soon available as part of TSA's career progression, Cimbolo is for the first time considering putting in for a new position.
"I like the idea of master and expert - because they're new, I can keep my seniority and also focus on training, which I enjoy," she said. Cimbolo regularly serves as an on-the-job training monitor, spending 60 hours each with new hires.
"I take the approach that, if I'm happy, hopefully I'll cheer you up," Cimbolo said. "I've seen procedure and other changes to make life easier for TSOs, and I'm glad that we've come to a point that we're also being rewarded for our hard work."
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