How hard is it to get a job at TSA?

While you can apply to the TSA with only the basic requirements, it can be a very competitive process. Most TSA agents have additional education beyond a high school diploma and many also have great experience to place on their resume as well.

How long does it take to get hired as TSA?

The TSO hiring process takes about to 90 days on average. Review the process below to get a better idea of what to expect, and ensure you're prepared every step of the way. 1. Find a Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA).

Is it worth being a TSA?

Good benefits/ decent work environment/ low pay

If you would like to have the weekends off then you will have to be with TSA for atleast 2-3 years to ATLEAST get sundays off. The benefits are good, and this is a great stepping stone into the federal government if that is what you are looking for.

Can you make a career out of TSA?

There is a number of professional growth opportunities for those starting as a TSA agent including: Scheduling Operations Officers. Aviation Regulatory Inspectors. Transportation Security Inspectors – Cargo.

Do TSA agents fly for free?

There Are No Travel Perks

Unlike flight attendants and other airline employees, TSA agents don't receive perks like free space-available air travel or the occasional free meal.

TSA Careers: The Hiring Process

How long is TSO training?

Transportation Security Officer Education and Training

When you are initially hired you must complete 56 to 72 hours of classroom training, 112 to 118 hours of on the job training, certification testing, and may be required to travel for up to two weeks.

Is TSO training hard?

You also can't be color blind or deaf, and you have to be able to lift 50 pounds — but that's pretty much it. For most new hires, the biggest hurdle is making it through the training process — not because it's actually difficult, but because it's pretty damn tedious.

Is TSA a federal job?

Working for the TSA is a federal job, so agents are elligibile for federal benefits including health insurance, life insurance, a 401k, and sick and vacation leave with pay.

Do TSO carry guns?

Most TSA employees are TSO's who do not have arrest powers and do not carry weapons of any kind, including guns. However, there are some individuals under the TSA such as Federal Air Marshals who do have law enforcement powers and are allowed to carry guns through the airport and even on planes.

What disqualifies you from being a TSA agent?

PERMANENT DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Espionage or conspiracy to commit espionage. Sedition or conspiracy to commit sedition. Treason or conspiracy to commit treason. A federal crime of terrorism as defined in 18 U.S.C.

Is the TSA computer test hard?

In order to work for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), individuals are required to pass the TSA computer-based test – or the TSA CBT test for short. This is a difficult test for those who are unprepared. It's also the most important step of the hiring process.

How do I pass the TSA interview?

You need to get a minimum of a three on each of the competencies in order to Pass. A failing score on the Standardized Interview is if you get less than a "3" on any of the competencies and/or you get a Fail on the Integrity/Honesty competency.

Are TSA cops?

Most TSA officers are not commissioned law enforcement officers, and their role is to conduct screening of passengers, baggage and cargo. TSA screeners can search you and your baggage at screening checkpoints, but they cannot arrest you. Other law enforcement officers, such as airport police, are present at airports.

What do TSA agents wear?

TSA Officers shall wear a standardized uniform as a readily identifiable symbol of the security mission and role of the TSA Officer. B. The standardized uniform must be worn with a metal badge. Badges will only be worn in an official capacity on the TSO uniform as described in this directive.

What benefits do TSA agents get?

Does TSA pay for college?

“The TSA Associates Program was a great experience for me and I will continue my education with the Government Reimbursement for Academic Degree (GRAD) program.” GRAD, a tuition program that invests in TSA employees, reimburses up to $5,000 of tuition expenses on eligible coursework within a calendar year depending on ...

Is TSA competitive service?

TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service ...

How much do TSA agents make?

Salary Ranges for Tsa Screeners

The salaries of Tsa Screeners in the US range from $11,043 to $294,666 , with a median salary of $52,938 . The middle 57% of Tsa Screeners makes between $52,938 and $132,844, with the top 86% making $294,666.

What are TSA shifts?

Almost all airports have two shifts for their employees: AM and PM. The AM shift starts approximately two hours before the first flight of the day, usually around 3am. The PM shift takes over around noon.

What is the difference between TSO and TSA?

TSA is the Transportation Security Administration; it is the federal agency in charge of airport and aircraft security. A TSO is a Transportation Security Officer; this is the position of airport security screening officers.

Does TSA drug test for Marijuanas?

Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.

What does TSA training look like?

At TSA Academy, they learn the protocols and procedures for customer service and keeping everyone safe. The academy's fully functional mock-checkpoint training has everything from walk-through metal detectors and body scanners to X-ray machines and even the queue signage that you'd see at an airport.

Do TSA have badges?

Agencies often give badges to workers who aren't law-enforcement officers. At the TSA, badges are carried by 1,200 inspectors who check that airlines, airports and others comply with security rules.

Is TSA a union?

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has represented TSA employees since 2003. Since then, nearly 19,000 hardworking men and women from airports across the country have joined our union.

Where does TSA training take place?

The TSA Academy (TSA-A) is located on the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) campus in Glynco, GA,. It is the primary home of TSO Basic Training Program Phase 2 for TSO new hires, and also provides training for Transportation Security Inspectors (TSI), Security Training Instructors (STI), and others.