Do you need a job? A good one, with benefits?

[willow_girl]

Maybe I can help.

I work as a transportation security officer (TSO, AKA "screener") for the TSA. It's a very good job for a homesteader! For example, even part-time employees get health insurance, 401K and a pension plan. The work is easy, clean and safe, and all training is provided by the government (and you get paid for attending class!). You don't need any special skills or abilities to be hired. The pay isn't bad -- at least $12 an hour to start, maybe more with locality pay. If you're interested in advancement, leads (LTSOs) and supervisors (STSOs) earn considerably more.

At present, TSA is offering a $700 bonus to current employees (umm, that would be me!) who recruit a successful new applicant. According to the email I received from HQ:

When a TSO, LTSO, STSO or TSM refers a candidate to fill a vacant full-time or part-time (including split-shifts) TSO position, he or she will be eligible for the referral bonus of $700 (pre tax), paid in two installments. The first installment of $200 will be paid upon the new hire’s completion of OJT and certification as a TSO. The second installment of $500 will be paid once the candidate completes six months of consecutive TSO service after EOD. To be eligible for the bonus, a TSO, LTSO, STSO or TSM must complete the Incentive Request – Referral Bonus (Form 1190) and submit it to their airport’s local designated program representative before the closing of this pilot program (Oct. 25, 2008).

If anyone is interested in applying for a job with the TSA, I'd be happy to split the bonus with you if you're willing to use me as your referral! It's an easy $350 for both of us, no?

To apply for a TSA job:

Apply online at https://tsacareers.taleo.net/ or

Contact the TSA Recruitment Center at

1-800-887-1895 or

1-800-887-5506 (TTY Line for the Hearing Impaired)

In order for me to collect the bonus, you would have to give me your name and probably some other information as well (to fill out their required form), plus let me know when you complete your training, certification, and first 6 months of employment.

When I get a check, you get a check!

Requirements to work for the TSA:

- Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent OR have at least one year of full-time work experience in security work, aviation screening work, or X-ray technician work;
- English Proficiency (e.g., reading, writing, speaking, listening);

- Mental Abilities (e.g., visual observation, X-ray interpretation);

- Physical Abilities (e.g., repeatedly lifting and carrying baggage weighing up to 70 pounds, bending, reaching, stooping, squatting, standing and walking);

- Meet job-related medical standards that will be assessed in a pre-employment medical evaluation;

- Pass a pre-employment drug screening test;

- Pass a background investigation, including a criminal check and a credit check;

- Pass a credit check. CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS POSITION IF THEY:

- Defaulted on $5,000 or more in debt (excluding certain circumstances of bankruptcy); or

- Owe any delinquent federal or state taxes; or

- Owe any past due child support payments; AND

- Pass initial hiring and all training requirements including 56-72 hours of classroom training, 112-128 hours of on-the-job training, and initial certification testing.

If anyone is interested, or would like to ask any questions about working for the TSA, please feel free to PM me!

[chickenista]

That sounds great except I don't live within an hour of an airport. Sigh.. and I don't have bad credit.. I have no credit.

[june02bug]

Willow -
I checked it out and Orlando isn't hiring. : ( Only Miami and Gainesville. Maybe later.

[Beeman]

It's great that you posted this and in a strange way I hope it helps someone. You just have to sit back and shake your head at how the gov't can pay recruitment bonuses and benefits to part timers.

[MedicalUser]

counts me out
PeACe

[Beaners]

If I was considering going back to work, I would be in. I actually misread the bonus you posted and thought you said $7000. I almost decided to go back to work anyways.

Kayleigh

[RandB]

I was excited to read this, as I am job-hunting, till I got to the part about the 70-lb. luggage handling.
The reason I am out of work is from a severe leg injury that left me unable to do that kind of thing anymore. Do they have any strictly desk jobs?

[CarolynRenee]

Wow. Seems as if the government can afford to hire new people, but the "rest" of the non-government businesses are having to cut costs, layoff people or just plain close their doors.

I'm happy that you are employed (as opposed to collecting government assistance) & are willing to share in the benefits of a hiring bonus. Unfortunately, there seems to be a trend in government jobs becomming more & more abundant while the non-government jobs are being lost because of rising costs & a shrinking value of the dollar.

Just my opinion. With that said....

Good luck to you & to anyone who needs a job and can get it because of your willingness to share this information.

[cathleenc]

what the heck, I applied.

[dancingbear]

What does TSA stand for? Transportation Security Administration, maybe? So is that who the security folks are the airports are?

I don't meet the physical requirements, but it sounds like a decent gig, for those who can.

[willow_girl]

You just have to sit back and shake your head at how the gov't can pay recruitment bonuses and benefits to part timers.

Well, the recruitment bonus is a bit weird, IMO (but hey, I'll take the money if I get some!), however, there is an important reason TSA needs part-timers. Most airports have very defined peak hours, and having part-time staff who work only those hours, then go home when it's slow, probably is a cost-saving measure.

Also, TSA spends a *lot* of money training new employees (I've been told it's upward of $10,000) (for starters, you go through something like 120 hours of training, and you're paid for it) so there is an incentive to retain employees. And I think it's usually cheaper to provide enhanced benefits than to increase cash wages!

I actually misread the bonus you posted and thought you said $7000.

Ha!!! I wish.

I was excited to read this, as I am job-hunting, till I got to the part about the 70-lb. luggage handling.
The reason I am out of work is from a severe leg injury that left me unable to do that kind of thing anymore. Do they have any strictly desk jobs?

I'm sure they hire for administrative positions, too ... those would be posted on the usajobs.gov website. Not sure what the qualifications would be, though!

Wow. Seems as if the government can afford to hire new people, but the "rest" of the non-government businesses are having to cut costs, layoff people or just plain close their doors.

TSA has a high attrition rate, something like 23 percent. That means about one out of every four screeners quits each year! Part of it is just the nature of the job, I think -- I mean, kids don't go around thinking, "I want to examine people's shoes for bombs when *I* grow up!" It's the sort of job you take when it's the best available option, or it fits into your schedule. All in all, it's not a bad job, though!

what the heck, I applied.

Cathleen, if you'd like to take part in my "split the bonus" idea, shoot me a PM ... I'll find out what information I need to get from you to turn in the paperwork on my end. And good luck!

[quadcam79]

thats weird since most airlines are all cutting flights and staff, i figured TSA would be doing the same...hmmm, guess not. they hired 65 p/t TSA here part of some 100% employee screening test at like 7 airports. it's miserable because in order to do my job i have to go in and out of the SIDA all day , nothing like getting screened over and over all day long. if they're going to do this from now on, then why the airport authority spends all the time and $$ on FBI background checks and all that is beyond me

RsndB...theres are alot fewer of the 70lb bags than there used to be but after the 200th one of the day you have some choice words for people who pack like that LOL

[seedspreader]

Hmmm, didn't see anything in Erie, Pa area.

[Grandmotherbear]

I showed this to Grandfatherbear, as his final day of work is fast approaching (pink slipped) I have taken Tri Rail to Miami International several times. I thought I ha read somewhere thatTSA would b expanding operations to ports and rail hubs? Its another possibility for him to consider.

I knw we have a couple lawyers who have posted in the ast on the boards- not to hijak the TSA thread, but if you soloed starting fom nothin, did you carry legal malpractice insurance or go bare? Pls pm me.

This does sound more appealing than going back to school for a MAT for a 5-7 year expected work life...
Thank you Willowgirl

[willow_girl]

You are welcome!

[KnightFire]

that dose sound like a great Job i wish i had the time and money to meet the Requirements
i have been a hard worker all my life not saying much in that i'm only 26 but need to put time and effort in to that tryin for a life in die casting good pay and year round heat lol

[tiffnzacsmom]

My credit is shot but some of the scanners are pretty cool at the airport, others though, well.....

[Brynne]

sadly the only airport in NY that is looking for help is hundreds of miles away

[cathleenc]

well, that was quick. I got a call back on Monday and am going to take the 2.5 hr screening test tomorrow. Bad news is that I have to drive over 100 miles to take the test. sending you a pm.

[cathleenc]

the test was fun! lol. I know I'm weird but I have always liked a good test. The object identification was like a new jigsaw puzzle, maybe I'll be able to 'play' again sometime. Already got my test results - I passed - now to wait to see if I get a call or what the next step is.