future as a screener

[Seand442]

My wife has expressed interest in becoming a screener since she can"t seem to get a job as a teacher for some reason. What is average starting pay or is that all dependant on location, promotion potential and overall chances for a future with the tsa? She has sent in her email app and gotten the good to go email already. Btw, are fed benefits for this position as good as I have heard? Gracias.

[intheaircop]

The word I am hearing is that they may not have a job in the next year or so. The word is that TSA is looking into getting rid of the screeners and making it private security again with TSA watching over them. So it seems like alot of screeners may be getting the RIF. But it is just talk?

[cobravenom1]

When was the last time in history a federal agency got rid of 45,000++ employees by way of RIF. Can you say never!!! The handfull of airports that are planning on opting out are small and only have a TSA cadre of less than 50. If anything happens, the screeners will be absorbed into another facet of DHS. Much like intheaircoop was absorbed (TSA to ICE).

Now on to your question; Beginning your career as a screener is a good start to a government career. On average, screeners are paid better than their counterpart government employees starting out (GS-5 to GS-7). This is good because if a person decides to change agencies the pay tends to stay the same or get offered higher. I have personally seen a person go from screener (GS-5) to the equivalant of GS-10 overnight (TSA to DoD). All the hours of non-payed experience in a supervisory roll made that happen. Advancement in TSA is more of what you bring to the table. Most screeners who advance have something else to offer than just being a federal employee. Your wife for example would eventually bid and promote into a training position (equivalent of a GS-10) if/when a position becomes available and if she has teaching credentials. She would still be able to promote into any supervisory security position also after her initial 6 months in DHS/TSA service. Again I have personally witnessed screeners promote up to trainer (GS-10), supervisor (GS-9), and management (GS-11) because of their degrees or varied work histories and experience. That doesn't include all of the screeners and TSA personnel who have transferred to other government agencies with an upgrade also.
DHS/TSA benefits are the same as any government agency (excellent). Many avenues to pursue for a comfortable retirement.

[intheaircop]

"when Was The First Time In History Did The Govt. Start A New Dept. In The Govt. (dept Of Homeland Security) Never Say Never."
I Also Bet That No One In The Govt Thought They Would Ever In History Palce Undercover Police(air Marshals) On Flights. "never Say Never"

[intheaircop]

cobravenom1 : The reason we were transfered to ICE is back in the begginning TSA was also to have uniformed police and also Agents(1811s). But as you know that did not happen. So the Air Marshals was the only law enforcement in the TSA. So it made since to move us with other law enforcement. Also now some Customs Agents are also doing temp. duties helping us cover flights and I guess that is why we are now all under ICE. Oh well, just glad to be away from TSA.