MILWAUKEE — For many frequent flyers, passing through Transportation Security Administration security screening is a normal part of the airport routine. It may be hard to believe that prior to 2002, TSA did not exist.
Prior to the agency’s creation 20 years ago, individual airports contracted their own security screeners. After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the federal government stepped in to standardize airport security screening.
Tuesday, TSA officers at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport were honored for their service over the last two decades.
Currently, 47 TSA Officers at Mitchell who started back in 2002 are still with the organization. During a ceremony at the airport, they were presented with plaques commemorating their service. Plus, all TSA officers who have served more than five years were honored at the ceremony at the airport Tuesday.
Daniel George is a TSA supervisor who has been at Mitchell since 2002.
“One of the things that is consistent with our agency is change,” said George. “Different threats come up throughout the world. To come up to a 20 year mark, it is pretty significant — certainly makes one feel proud.”
While George said many passengers appreciate the efforts of TSA officers, others don’t. George said he has dealt with his share of unhappy travelers over the years.
While he said he knows not everyone is happy to see him, he hopes they realize the important role he and his staff play in safety.
“We deal with that adversity on a daily basis; we will explain the importance of what we do. It is a very small price to pay and that is one of my things: It is a fairly small price to pay for everyone’s safety on board,” said George.
While having 47 original officers still on staff is a point of pride for the TSA, it has also created a unique challenge. Many of those officers are nearing retirement age. That’s why TSA said recruiting new officers is important.
“Any employer in southeast Wisconsin is having a challenge, and it continues,” said Mark Lendvaey, who oversees the TSA for Wisconsin. “When you have a seasoned workforce that is close to retirement age, that turnover and that succession planning needs to be robust.”