Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

?? Supporting families and people with disabilities ?? Flying can be stressful for many, but for those on the autism spectrum or with intellectual disabilities, the experience can be especially challenging. At California’s San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), TSA came together with Alaska Airlines and the Pacific Autism Center for Education to host a special Wings for Autism?/Wings for All? event aimed at easing the travel anxiety for these special travelers. Over 50 children and 80 family members participated, going through the check-in process, screening at the TSA security checkpoint, and even boarding an Alaska Airlines flight to be taxied around the SJC airstrip. The TSA Cares program and specially trained Passenger Support Specialists (PSSs) ensured families felt well-informed, comfortable, and confident navigating the airport and security screening process. Events like this help reinforce TSA's commitment to ensuring that every individual, including those with special needs, has a smooth and seamless security experience. Full story: https://spgv.io/6048mre #TeamTSA #TSACares #Partnerships

You’ve probably heard us - or maybe your local DMV or airport - mention REAL ID, but what, exactly, is REAL ID? Glad you asked! REAL ID is setting the bar for the issuance of IDs, such as state-issued IDs and driver’s licenses. Why does this matter? Because it reduces identity fraud and increases security – for air travel, for entrance to federal buildings, and for access to places like nuclear power plants. All are REALLY (pun fully intended) great things to increase security standards for. Learn more about why you’ll need a REAL ID: www.tsa.gov/real-id #REALID #TravelTip #GetREAL

?? TSA Officers Find Gun Hidden Inside Raw Chicken ?? Today is National Poultry Day, and we can’t think of a better time to reshare this very… rare… find. In November 2022, our officers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport found a handgun hidden by a passenger inside a raw chicken. We’ve seen guns of all kinds concealed in so many items over the years, but this one really had us saying “hen you believe it?!” In all seriousness, responsible gun owners know that the right way to travel with your firearm is to prepare, pack, and declare. All firearms must be unloaded, packed in a locked and hard-sided case, and declared with your airline at check-in. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality, so please be sure to check the laws in the location you’re flying to before you travel. For additional questions, you can text our AskTSA team at (275-872). #TeamTSA #TravelTip #AirportSecurity

?? Georgia TSA officer acts on observations, intoxicated pilot arrested ?? It was 5:50 a.m., an unusual time, and an even more uncommon location, to encounter an intoxicated person, so it wasn’t something Savannah Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) Lead TSA Officer Carino was necessarily looking for as he validated the credentials of a pilot at the Known Crewmember? (KCM) station, a separate entrance for airline personnel. “My first observation was him seemingly going out of his way to avoid speaking,” said Carino. “The second, and most obvious, was the strong smell of what I assumed to be alcohol permeating from him. Our supervisors at SAV are very helpful and easy to communicate with when we have any sort of concern. I had complete confidence that the supervisor would take my concern seriously. I asked the remaining people in the KCM line to please hold for a moment.” Once Carino shared his concerns, the supervisor told the manager who in turn called the Savannah Airport Police. Responding at the gate, police removed the pilot from the flight after completing a field sobriety test. According to reports, the 52-year-old pilot was later arrested on DUI charges. Full story: https://lnkd.in/eaKrhYfA #TeamTSA

As the Mardi Gras celebrations took over New Orleans earlier this month, TSA was on duty making sure everyone who attended stayed safe. Whether it was increasing security screening at the airport due to the influx of travelers, having our K9s conduct sweeps of the downtown areas, or utilizing our Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal teams to provide law enforcement surface operations and counter UAS (drone) support– TSA had Mardi Gras covered. TSA brought in our National Deployment Force to support the Mardi Gras festivities – highly trained personnel who assist during busy, large-scale events and emergencies. Their support (and their readiness to be on-call and able to travel at a moment’s notice) helps maintain the highest security and safety standards, keeping Americans safe at national special security events across the country. Another successful Mardi Gras in the books! Read more about how TSA helped keep New Orleans safe: https://lnkd.in/eeP7NHYQ #TeamTSA #MardiGras #NationalSecurity

Today is National K9 Veterans Day, and we can't think of a better time to give a special shoutout to our retired TSA explosives detection canines. ?? Their work is so critically important to keeping travelers safe, and we're hoping they're all getting so many pets, treats, and tennis balls during their retirement years. Pictured below: Ttirado (IND Airport), Attila (HNL Airport), King (HNL Airport), and littermates Eette (STL Airport) and Eebbers (MSP Airport). #K9 #TeamTSA

Please, and we cannot emphasize this enough, do not put reptiles down your pants and then come to our checkpoint. Our officers at Newark-Liberty International Airport (EWR) were shell-shocked to discover a Pennsylvania man with a turtle concealed in his pants last week. The traveler was stopped when the turtle that was stuffed down the front of his pants triggered an alarm, resulting in a very unexpected pat-down. ?? “We have seen travelers try to conceal knives and other weapons on their person, in their shoes and in their luggage, however I believe this is the first time we have come across someone who was concealing a live animal down the front of his pants. As best as we could tell, the turtle was not harmed by the man’s actions,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey. Full story: https://lnkd.in/enpntn9r #TeamTSA #TravelTip

Shoutout to our officers at Richmond International Airport in Virginia who recently intercepted these road flares during routine checkpoint screening. Yes, you read that right – road flares. Road flares, or other highly flammable items (like fireworks, for example), are not allowed on an airplane. While road flares are great for roadside emergencies, they’re strictly prohibited on planes. TSA is always on the lookout to keep flights safe, and this is a great example of why security screening, and baggage screening, matters. As a reminder, be sure to double-check your bags before heading to the airport and if you’re unsure about an item, you can text our AskTSA team at (275-872). #AirportSecurity

?? TSA Leadership Engages with Frontline Teams at SFO and LAS ?? Adam Stahl, TSA’s Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, wrapped up a great week on the road, dedicated to engaging with our workforce across the Southwest and West Coast, with key visits to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Las Vegas (LAS), seeing firsthand the innovative work being done across #TeamTSA. At SFO, Stahl met with local leadership, toured baggage and screening operations, and had meaningful conversations with frontline employees who keep the traveling public safe every day. These engagements help strengthen collaboration and ensure our officers have the tools and support they need to perform at their highest. In Nevada, at LAS, Stahl welcomed TSA’s newest class of Transportation Security Officers at TSA Academy West. These individuals are the future of TSA, and their commitment to security is truly inspiring. The visit concluded at TSA’s Innovation Checkpoint, where the team received a hands-on demonstration of the cutting-edge screening technologies. He was also our honorary K9 handler that day (see photos below)! TSA's strength comes from its people, and visits like these reinforce our commitment to investing in them, fostering innovation, and strengthening partnerships to meet the evolving challenges of transportation security. #WorkforceEngagement #NationalSecurity

"Traveling with a roast ?? for National Crown Roast of Pork Day? While many love a good feast, large, oversized items may need a little more time for screening at the checkpoint. Be sure to arrive early and #PackSmart by securely wrapping your roast and keeping it in a leak-proof container. Reach out to our AskTSA team by texting “TRAVEL” to AskTSA (275-872) if you have any more travel questions."