What does a transportation security officer do?
A transportation security officer is responsible for implementing public transportation security measures, such as in airports, train stations, and bus terminals. Under the supervision of a senior officer, they primarily screen commuters and cargo before entering premises or any vehicles, prohibit dangerous items, manage checkpoints, and respond to any signs or calls of distress. Moreover, a transportation security officer must be alert for any suspicious activity or object. Should there be any security violations, it is vital to take action and coordinate with senior officers right away.
Transportation security officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real transportation security officer resumes:
- Resolve simple, informal complaints from employees and referring others such as formal grievances & appeals to an appropriate manager.
- Conduct entry of paperwork into PMIS.
- Perform search and seizure of drugs and various FAA contraband.
- Operate airport security screening equipment and identify items restrict by the FAA.
- Certify in the working process of the terminals for the airport through training and OJT.
- Serve as technician in addition to normal duties, and OJT instructor for new hires.
- Resolve complaints of employees and refer others such as formal grievances and appeals to the higher management official.
- Train individuals on security screening equipment to include, XRAY, AIT, and ETD machine to resolve alarms.
- Gather and document data for various agency reports including PMIS, training logs, currency logs and equipment maintenance.
- Ensure that all CTX's and ETD's areas are properly maintain, secure and lock at the closed of shift
- Facilitate interviews/staffing of potential TSO candidates.
- Complete filed and submit government paperwork for property management as a maintenance TSO.
- Train in the use of IED (improvise explosive devise).
- Operate x-ray and AIT machines, and also to make sure prohibit items do not make it to the sterile area.
- Detect and prevent prohibit, illegal and or dangerous items with advance imaging technology machines (AIT) at the airport.
Transportation security officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Transportation Security Officers are proficient in Continuous Development, Law Enforcement, and Hire Training. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Good judgment, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Transportation Security Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Development, 12%
Engaged in continuous development of critical thinking skills to retain and implement knowledge of applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
- Law Enforcement, 9%
Conduct and assist staff and law enforcement officers with investigations of incidents while documenting identified behaviors as the basis for referrals.
- Hire Training, 9%
Facilitate and aid in the process of new hire training and learning and development stages.
- TSO, 8%
Completed filed and submitted government paperwork for property management as a maintenance TSO.
- Unexpected Obstacles, 8%
Demonstrated responsible and dependable behavior and the ability to adapt to new information or unexpected obstacles.
- Stressful Environment, 7%
Maintained focus and awareness while working in a stressful environment to identify and locate potentially life threatening or mass destruction devices.
"continuous development," "law enforcement," and "hire training" are among the most common skills that transportation security officers use at work. You can find even more transportation security officer responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a transportation security officer to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what transportation security officers do because "security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations." Additionally, a transportation security officer resume shows how transportation security officers use communication skills: "communicate effectively with leads and supervisors maintaining constant communication ensuring all tso's are on the same page. "
Observation skills. This is an important skill for transportation security officers to perform their duties. For an example of how transportation security officer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "security guards and surveillance officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a transportation security officer: "assist superiors and law enforcement officers with observation of incidents. ".
The three companies that hire the most transportation security officers are:
- Allied Universal
56 transportation security officers jobs
- Trinity Technology Group9 transportation security officers jobs
- Gateway Group One7 transportation security officers jobs
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Compare different transportation security officers
Transportation security officer vs. Screener
A screener is responsible for observing and screening passengers for safety and security purposes, ensuring that they comply with the appropriate baggage, items, and materials onboarding. Screeners often work at airports, malls, and other institutions for the public. They utilize various machines, such as X-ray viewing equipment, metal detectors, and other hand tools to inspect the passengers, confiscating violating and dangerous items subjected to further investigation. A screener also verifies the passenger's identity through identification documents and immediately informs the management for a security breach.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between transportation security officers and screener. For instance, transportation security officer responsibilities require skills such as "continuous development," "hire training," "tso," and "unexpected obstacles." Whereas a screener is skilled in "vital signs," "strong customer service," "infection control," and "patients." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Screeners tend to reach similar levels of education than transportation security officers. In fact, screeners are 4.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Transportation security officer vs. Passenger screener
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that transportation security officer responsibilities requires skills like "continuous development," "hire training," "tso," and "unexpected obstacles." But a passenger screener might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "two-way radio," "machine alarms," "federal regulations," and "federal aviation administration."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Passenger screeners tend to reach similar levels of education than transportation security officers. In fact, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Transportation security officer vs. Bag checker
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, transportation security officers are more likely to have skills like "continuous development," "law enforcement," "hire training," and "tso." But a bag checker is more likely to have skills like "football games," "crowd control," "dome," and "general safety."
When it comes to education, bag checkers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to transportation security officers. In fact, they're 1.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Transportation security officer vs. Baggage screener
Types of transportation security officer
Updated January 8, 2025
