Starting with TSA on 5/24, advice needed.

[JMABirdUNC]

Post removed.

[TSA-Sup]

Well, I am a current TSA employee. I am currently waiting for a position to open with ICE.

I am an 8 year employee, and started at the bottom. As my handle implies, I am a TSA Supervisor. I have not grand delusion that I am a LEO, because I am not (just making that clear.)

Back in 'the day' our probation was a year long. In 2005 (I believe) it was changed to a 2 year probation. Our status for internal advancement stats at day 1. I had an employee who was promoted twice within a year (Screener-Lead; Lead-Sup). The 'internal status for other federal jobs' is correct, yet mis-leading.

If a job is open to 'Status Candidates' and TSA has an agreement with them (most DHS entities) you can apply, the same as an employees from that agency. You still have to test, interview, qualify, etc like every one else, but given the choice of you or Average Joe, you *should* get hired as you are an internal candidate.

TSA has it's good and it's bad managers and supervisors. Some do show favoritism. Long story short, it does suck at times. It all depends on where you work and how well you get along with co-workers (just like at any other job).

That being said, TSA is a relatively new agency and there is the potential to go places. I know quite a few that started as Screeners and now are managers and a few who have gone on to HQ jobs.

If using TSA as a stepping stone is your goal, then fine. I know a lot who have gone on to the FAMS, ICE, CBP, IRS, ect. They all said the same thing: My last day at TSA was the best.

I know others who have come over from other agencies and said that all they want to do it work and go home. For that, it is a pretty good gig. It sounds like you will be working at a smallish airport. Make the best of it and explore your options.

You may find TSA is what you want or what you want right now. I hope it didn't dim your expectations, but it really is what you make of it. Good or bad. Like I said, I have been with TSA since roll out and I am at my 4th assigned airport.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Sam

[buckeyemike75]

First post, here it goes:

I will be starting work as a TSO with TSA in 10 days on May 24th at a decently small-to-mid sized airport (2 concourses with 5 gates each). I've heard bad stories and I've heard good stories about TSA, but I'm going to work for them for two reasons: I can gain internal status for other federal jobs, and because it is almost impossible to get a job right now and bills need to be paid. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Economics and Business Administration in May of 2008, and my career goal is to get into the accounting/financial field. I understand this is an officer's forum and I mean no offense to anyone, but I have absolutely no interest in law enforcement and I don't intend on staying with TSA any longer than necessary to transfer out to another federal agency(I believe you get internal status immediately, and you can apply to status positions after one year).

I've heard stories where TSOs transfer to CBP (Customs & Border Patrol) after one year. I've heard TSOs quit because of all the job stress and favoritism displayed towards certain employees by upper management, and I've heard of TSOs with years and years of experience with the agency just simply unable to transfer despite trying.

For those of you who have worked with TSA or transferred from TSA to another federal agency, or have been in my position: can you offer any advice for me, or shed some light on anything I've written, and am I making a good or bad career decision by working for TSA? Any help or assistance is always appreciated.

Well first off it IS a job and you will find out first hand the pro's and con's of the job. Secondly there are no transfers to other agencies, you have to apply and get accepted to said agency and you will be competing with the general public. Just by being employed by tsa will not give you an edge with another agency. Most of the people that cannot move along to other agencies probably have sketchy backgrounds and tsa is the highest in the gov't they will achieve.

[TSA-Sup]

Most of the people that cannot move along to other agencies probably have sketchy backgrounds and tsa is the highest in the gov't they will achieve.

Or KEEP it once they get their TSA job.

[JMABirdUNC]

Post removed.

[soto2635]

def a good idea for a steping stone , i def know how u feel about getting the bills paid i got out of the marines and was living paycheck to paycheck when i was working for the TSA in orlando granted i was only there around 10 months before i moved on to CBP and had to move to el paso but life if good now.

[tc05sti]

i'd rather pick it up garbage making 27 an hour rather than work for tsa

[Roninjin]

i'd rather pick it up garbage making 27 an hour rather than work for tsa

wow great contribution to a this thread....

[tc05sti]

wow great contribution to a this thread....

you too! thanks

[DARE_SUPPORTER]

i'd rather pick it up garbage making 27 an hour rather than work for tsa

I will help you pick up trash for $27 an hour...

[merlin436]

First post, here it goes:

I will be starting work as a TSO with TSA in 10 days on May 24th at a decently small-to-mid sized airport (2 concourses with 5 gates each). I've heard bad stories and I've heard good stories about TSA, but I'm going to work for them for two reasons: I can gain internal status for other federal jobs, and because it is almost impossible to get a job right now and bills need to be paid. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Economics and Business Administration in May of 2008, and my career goal is to get into the accounting/financial field. I understand this is an officer's forum and I mean no offense to anyone, but I have absolutely no interest in law enforcement and I don't intend on staying with TSA any longer than necessary to transfer out to another federal agency(I believe you get internal status immediately, and you can apply to status positions after one year).

I've heard stories where TSOs transfer to CBP (Customs & Border Patrol) after one year. I've heard TSOs quit because of all the job stress and favoritism displayed towards certain employees by upper management, and I've heard of TSOs with years and years of experience with the agency just simply unable to transfer despite trying.

For those of you who have worked with TSA or transferred from TSA to another federal agency, or have been in my position: can you offer any advice for me, or shed some light on anything I've written, and am I making a good or bad career decision by working for TSA? Any help or assistance is always appreciated.

CBP = Customs and Border Protection.

[formerusssnusmc]

hhhhaa thats funny but everyone stop talkin smack to them. Im sorry for laughing too.. Their job is one of the most important jobs in the US right now. Sadly it all goes un-noticed. I'm in a position now where I can see how they are keeping us all safe, even if the TSA folks themselves cant see it. Its hard standing in the airport all day, but the people posting on this thread fail to see that is the number one target right now!!! Besides a few incidents we have been kept safe by TSA... probably hundreds of times. The only failures so far are ones that are hard to foresee.. Whoever thought a box cutter would be enough 9 years ago?

[tc05sti]

I will help you pick up trash for $27 an hour...

haha I'm glad someone agreed... I thought I was the only one with only one who thought that

[tmartinez91084]

Congrats on the TSA job man! I'm scheduled to take their computer assessment on the 24th.

Personally I think since at one point, their hiring practices where more akin to hiring people to work at Convergy's, there were a lot of people who were going to complain NO MATTER what job was given to them! The reason I bring up Convergy's is because I too read about TSA online and through different forums and can't help but draw comparisons between those that complain about working at TSA and those that complain about working at Convergy's; the complains are almost identical! "Sups favor a certain group!" "Not treated right" "blah blah blah". I've worked with my share of complainers through my life and man, is it a drag to work with these crybabies! I've gone out of my way to get them terminated by simply outworking them while they sat there and complained. End result? No more pain in the neck, a raise, and a bigger check :-)

I will help you pick up trash for $27 an hour...

Call me crazy, but if I saw an ad in the paper that read this, I am not above picking up trash for $27 at 40 hours a week. When asked what I was doing, I wouldn't say "trash picker", I'd say "Environmental Appearance Specialist" :-D

[UD4LIFE]

hhhhaa thats funny but everyone stop talkin smack to them. Im sorry for laughing too.. Their job is one of the most important jobs in the US right now. Sadly it all goes un-noticed. I'm in a position now where I can see how they are keeping us all safe, even if the TSA folks themselves cant see it. Its hard standing in the airport all day, but the people posting on this thread fail to see that is the number one target right now!!! Besides a few incidents we have been kept safe by TSA... probably hundreds of times. The only failures so far are ones that are hard to foresee.. Whoever thought a box cutter would be enough 9 years ago?

+1

Just don't clobber you coworker with a baton and you should be OK.

Good luck and congrats on the new career.