What Do Transportation Security Screeners Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Transportation Security Screeners conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. May operate basic security equipment such as x-ray machines and hand wands at screening checkpoints. They also inspect carry-on items, using x-ray viewing equipment, to determine whether items contain objects that warrant further investigation.

Other tasks include:

• Search carry-on or checked baggage by hand when it is suspected to contain prohibited items such as weapons.
• View images of checked bags and cargo, using remote screening equipment, and alert baggage screeners or handlers to any possible problems.
• Check passengers’ tickets to ensure that they are valid, and to determine whether passengers have designations that require special handling, such as providing photo identification.
• Test baggage for any explosive materials, using equipment such as explosive detection machines or chemical swab systems.
• Perform pat-down or hand-held wand searches of passengers who have triggered machine alarms, who are unable to pass through metal detectors, or who have been randomly identified for such searches.
• Notify supervisors or other appropriate personnel when security breaches occur.

We asked Transportation Security Screeners how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Transportation Security Screeners view images of checked bags and cargo, using remote screening equipment, and alert baggage screeners or handlers to any possible problems. They test baggage for any explosive materials, using equipment such as explosive detection machines or chemical swab systems.

• Ask passengers to remove shoes and divest themselves of metal objects prior to walking through metal detectors.
• Send checked baggage through automated screening machines, and set bags aside for searching or rescreening as indicated by equipment.
• Inspect checked baggage for signs of tampering.
• Inspect carry-on items, using x-ray viewing equipment, to determine whether items contain objects that warrant further investigation.
• Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.

We asked some Transportation Security Screeners a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	26% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	69% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	74% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	52% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	74% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	48% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Transportation Security Screeners also challenge suspicious people, requesting their badges and asking what their business is in a particular areas. They may also contact police directly in cases of urgent security issues, using phones or two-way radios.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Transportation Security Screeners Notify supervisors or other appropriate personnel when security breaches occur. They might also Contact leads or supervisors to discuss objects of concern that are not on prohibited object lists.

In addition, they Inform other screeners when baggage should not be opened because it might contain explosives.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Confiscate dangerous items and hazardous materials found in opened bags and turn them over to airlines for disposal.

To some Transportation Security Screeners, it is also their responsibility to Close entry areas following security breaches or reopen areas after receiving notification that the airport is secure.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Transportation Security Screener, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

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