TSA Weekly, May 25 - 29, 2009
News
Lead TSO Terri Spann, a member of the Facilitators Action Support Team (F.A.S.T.) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, helps a family at a checkpoint. Read more. Photo by Adana Conway
Office of Inspection Agents Recognized for Outstanding Investigation
On May 29, two agents from the Inspections and Investigations Division of the Office of Inspection were recognized by the Department of Justice for their exceptional work that lead to the arrest and prosecution of Robert Hill and Eric Glass, two former TSA contractors who stole nearly $2.7 million in government property. U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente presented the agents with an award at the 2009 Law Enforcement Public Service Awards ceremony for the Eastern District of Virginia, which recognizes outstanding law enforcement contributions from federal and local agencies. “The work of all our agents was exceptional, and these two case agents deserve to be recognized in this fashion for their work,” said Inspection Assistant Administrator David Holmes.
Going F.A.S.T. at Seattle-Tacoma
By Adana Conway, Expert Behavior Detection Officer, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport the 10 members of the Facilitators Action Support Team (F.A.S.T.) combined their efforts with TSOs to actively demonstrate the spirit of Security Evolution and ENGAGE! principles.
Based on an idea by TSO Lori Till, an ENGAGE!/COACH! Facilitator, the F.A.S.T. concept involves facilitators reflecting daily on ENGAGE! principles by actively demonstrating it with both passengers and co-workers.
“One of the things we heard from officers was that they felt there was never enough time to talk with passengers,” said Till. “Another was that there was never enough manpower or enough time to do what was asked of them in ENGAGE!”
Every week at a predetermined time and checkpoint, the F.A.S.T. team opens a lane, runs bins, does bag checks, loads, performs screening by X-ray and wand – always during the busiest time of the day, when the checkpoints need the help most.
The team does it all, Till said, while incorporating the skills learned in ENGAGE!, including the basics: Mirror Neurons, See-Feel-Think-Do, and the 3Cs.
“The F.A.S.T. team has been awesome,” said Supervisory TSO Natalie Brown. “They are here during the peak times, so their help is very much appreciated.”
Brown said that with summer travel fast approaching, the active support is necessary.
“It seems they know just when to help out,” said Brown. “They definitely bring a calm to the checkpoint. And it definitely rubs off on the officers around them.”
Two other officers, TSOs Amy Martin and Pam Perez, have kept a close eye on the F.A.S.T. team and appreciate not only the assistance they provide, but also the professional standards they set.
“I’ve noticed the F.A.S.T team has demonstrated ENGAGE! with every passenger,” said Martin. “Through consistent demonstration, constant interaction with the passengers and displaying a positive attitude 100 percent of the time on the checkpoint, I believe it has helped bring the level of attitude up to a more positive level.”
Perez, too, noticed how team members have engaged and said she draws from their energy, especially when things get hectic around the checkpoint.
“You know we all have our days, and there was one time when the F.A.S.T team helped me with my focus,” said Perez. “It is support like that, that helps out so much. Just to be there for each other – for me that is what ENGAGE! is about.”
Evolution Practices at Work…
We are pleased to launch Practices at Work, which highlights Evolution sustainment practices created by and for field employees and taken from a catalog of Evolution field practices.
Our inaugural piece, Daily Briefing Activity, is from Supervisory TSO Matthew Flewelling, Charleston International Airport, S.C. The practice involves TSOs reading the shift brief, sharing personal stories about engaging with passengers, and discussing the morale-boosting “My TSA Inspiration” cards they exchange with one another.
To view Flewelling’s submission and the field catalog, go to the iShare home page and click on the Evolution logo on the left side. Then click Field Guide Posted under Updates.
News
New Training Launched to Reduce Injuries
By Ignacio Reyes Jr., Stakeholder Relations and Customer Support and Quality Improvement Manager, Austin-Bergstrom (Texas) International Airport
Debra Odenthal, OSHE Field Safety Representative, discusses hazards in the TSA environment at the Austin-Bergstrom training event. Photo by Ignacio Reyes Jr.
In an effort to further reduce workplace injuries, TSA launched a new collateral duty safety officers' (CDSO) course that provides training on enhanced skill sets and knowledge to streamline reporting, investigating and recordkeeping of on-the-job injuries.
The TSA 6000 CDSO course, developed by the Office of Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE), helps analyze and gain trend information to assist local FSD staffs, safety officials and Safety Action Teams achieve safer workplaces.
The May 14-15 training at Austin-Bergstrom International drew CDSOs from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Louisiana and Texas.
“TSA training and education aimed at reducing workplace injuries is a welcome sight,” said Austin-Bergstrom FSD Mike Scott. “On-the-job injuries cost the TSA millions of dollars each year. Every dollar spent on workers’ compensation is a dollar that isn’t spent on our security mission. We owe it to all our employees to create and maintain a safe working environment.”
Training included a review of the new safety management directive and revised manual; similarities and differences in Occupational Safety and Health Administration and OSHE responsibilities; management responsibilities and required documentation; and a hands-on workplace safety inspection of a TSA checkpoint and baggage in-line system. A table-top exercise offered participants an opportunity to clarify supervisory roles on workforce reports of unsafe, unhealthful conditions, injury reports and investigation results.
"It is OSHE's goal to train all CDSOs in order for them to better support their FSD, security managers and officers in fulfilling TSA's mission while safeguarding the workforce," said Jill Segraves, OSHE Director.
A Message from Gale: Memorial Day Commemoration
This week, America honored the men and women of our nation’s military who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country.
From the Revolutionary War to current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, more than 1 million men and women – true American heroes – have paid the ultimate price to safeguard our freedom and our way of life. We can never overlook their historical significance and individual sacrifices because they have contributed to the life we enjoy today.
I am especially proud to note that more than 25 percent of our workforce at TSA has served or is still serving in the U.S. military. These dedicated veterans bring their skills, commitment, patriotism and sense of duty to our mission. They represent every generation and every branch of service. They work in every office and location and in jobs at all levels, infusing us with their strength and contributing greatly to our preparedness and our success.
Veterans’ spirit, dedication to service and discipline permeates throughout TSA, which makes security across all modes of transportation stronger.
TSA is stronger because of the experience and team spirit that veterans bring as they serve on the frontline and in leadership positions.
We are grateful and honored that so many veterans and men and women still serving in the military have chosen to be an integral part of TSA. We would not have achieved all that we have in seven short years without them.
This week and always let us remember that freedom is not free. Please join me in honoring the fallen, thanking those who currently serve, and rededicating ourselves to keep America safe and free. That’s what Memorial Day is all about.
Technology and Collaboration at Work at Indianapolis
For the second time in recent months, TSOs at Indianapolis International Airport demonstrated the effectiveness of Whole Body Imaging (WBI) technology. On May 16, when a passenger walked through one of airport’s four WBIs, TSOs Joseph Lynch and Paul Kelly noticed an anomaly. After collaborating with airport police and doing additional screening, marijuana was discovered concealed in the passenger’s pants. Two months earlier, while screening using WBI, Lynch detected two concealed bottles of liquid on a passenger. “Both of these incidents illustrate the effectiveness of WBI technology in detecting dangerous materials that might be concealed during the screening process,” said Richard Laux, Assistant FSD. For more about WBI, visit tsa.gov.
Manchester Boston TSO Honored For Volunteerism
By Ann Davis, Office of Strategic Communications/Public Affairs
From left, Manchester Boston AFSD Matt Hanson, TSO Myron Dobson and AFSD Dominic Colameta. Photo courtesy of TSA Manchester Boston
Manchester Boston Regional Airport TSO Myron Dobson was recognized by the airport’s TSA leadership on May 19 for his “dedication to volunteer service” with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.
For more than 10 years, Dobson volunteered with “Adopt A Platoon,” an organization that supports U.S. troops stationed overseas by sending cards, letters and care packages to help boost morale.
Assistant FSD for Law Enforcement Domenic Colameta and AFSD for Screening Matt Hanson presented Dobson with the award, including a letter signed by former President George W. Bush. It reads, in part, “This award recognizes your dedication to volunteer service and signifies that you have served your community and your country with distinction. Through your volunteer efforts, you are demonstrating values that make our nation strong and you are helping to build a culture of citizenship, service and responsibility in America.”
Involved in the organization since 1999, Dobson has seen the number of volunteers grow from a handful to 50,000-plus nationwide.
This Week’s Featured Local Newsletter
FSD Insider, the newsletter for TSA employees at Washington’s Spokane International Airport and surrounding spokes (Walla Walla Regional, Pangborn Memorial, Tri-Cities, Pullman/Moscow Regional, Yakima Air Terminal and Moses Lake), provides staff engaging articles that cover a wide selection of topics. Beginning with an inspirational message from the FSD, the May/June issue features stories on the practical skills evaluation, a memorable screening moment, Model Workplace, employee award recipients and Evolution. The issue also introduces the area’s new TSA Field Information Officer, who gathers and analyzes transportation security-related information from U.S. intelligence communities.
An archive of featured newsletters is available on iShare in the Communications Central section, which is linked from the home page. In the same section, the DHS branding guideline document is available in PDF for download. The DHS branding guideline helps ensure consistency in imagery, color, and appearance of all Department publications.
In Tribute
(Names of TSA employees and dates of death provided by the Office of Human Capital.)
Todd Jones, Federal Air Marshal, Denver Field Office, April 29, 2009
Aubrey D. Conover, TSO, Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, April 21
William Campbell, Master TSO, Colorado Springs Municipal, May 3
Donald Schweikert, TSO, Greenville-Spartanburg (S.C.) Airport, May 3
Kudos & Clips
10 Ways Homeland Security Is Keeping You Safe
From Parade Magazine, May 24, 2009
Earlier this month, Janet Napolitano submitted a $42.7 billion budget for the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2010. While the proposal "focuses on savings and reduction," the agency has launched several important new initiatives to increase our national security. Read more. 
(parade.com)
At both locations [General Mitchell International (Milwaukee) and Denver International] your security officers were friendly and polite, and kept things moving. I appreciate the work that they do and I know that you probably only hear the negative comments, so I thought I would pass on the positive feedback. … I feel safer flying now because of your efforts and I appreciate the fast and friendly service provided at both locations.
Paul Klajbor, Milwaukee, to Bob Kapp, Customer Support Quality and Improvement Manager, Denver International, Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal, and Colorado Plains Regional airports. May 21, 2009.
I made a quick trip from Minneapolis-St. Paul International to General Mitchell International airports and it was the first time I flew with my 20-month-old daughter by myself. I was a bit nervous about getting both of us and the huge car seat through screening without help. I was very surprised and impressed by the TSA personnel at both airports. They were polite, very helpful, and patient as I struggled to unhook the car seat, coax the little one into taking off her shoes, and then tried to get it all back together without holding up the line for too long. You hear horror stories about going through airport security, but my experience could not have been better. Your workers obviously care about their jobs and about the travelers they are helping.
Katherine Lau, Minneapolis, to Mary K. Sage, Stakeholder Manager and Customer Quality and Improvement Manager, General Mitchell International, May 18, 2009.
The TSA Experience
Operation 'Pink Ponies'
From left, BAOs Peter Jones, Ryan Morris and Mike Walsh. Photo by Tanya Pinder
Just in time for Memorial Day, Bomb Appraisal Officers Pete Jones (Atlantic City, N.J.); Mike Walsh (Newark, N.J.); Ryan Morris (Baltimore-Washington); BAO Program Assistant Tanya Pinder; and Behavior Detection Officer Manager Shaun Roach (Baltimore-Washington) volunteered to deliver 60 My Little Pony dolls to the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. They also visited wounded service members, including several Explosive Ordnance Detection Technicians, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. “We had the unique opportunity to spend time with a U.S. Army PFC and first quadruple amputee to survive battlefield treatment and return to Walter Reed for recovery,” said Jones. “His attitude and humor changed the lives of all five of us and underscores the important work of the BAO program.”
TSA Employees Team Up for Rhode Island 5K
Photo courtesy of TSA T.F. Green Airport
Six TSA employees from Rhode Island’s T.F. Green Airport recently competed as a team in the State Police 5K Foot Pursuit, finishing in ninth place. The race was held on the beach in Narragansett. The team, from left, included Mark Campbell, Stakeholder Liaison; Christopher Pariseau, Lead TSO; Matthew McCalligett, Supervisory TSO; Cesar Sauceda, Lead TSO; Jared DaRocha, Transportation Security Inspector; and Steev Panneton, STSO, with his sons, Shane and Ryan.
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