TSA Baggage: An Inside Look at the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly at America's Airports

by Scott Becker

Overview

Scott Becker spent over 12 years working for the TSA at Chicago’s O’Hare airport and served it in numerous capacities, from baggage screener to manager. He brings to TSA Baggage a wealth of experience and stories that have something for everyone:

•Candid Cameos: Several stories in TSA Baggage feature appearances from celebrities, including Madeleine Albright, Patch Adams, and the Kardashians

•Behind-the-Scenes Look: For anyone who’s ever wondered what happens in the parts of airports hidden from a view or during a shift at a security check, this book provides first-hand accounts of the inner workings of airports and the people who keep them humming

•Laugh Track: Airports seem to attract the misguided, confused, and weird, and this provides for plenty of laughs, whether its passengers attempting to bring grenades in their luggage or trying to skip through security in a drunken tizzy

•Travel Warning: This book can also be a great guide to do’s and don’ts for all future travelers, with tips from someone who’s seen everything that can go right and wrong at an airport

Travel brings out the good, bad, and ugly in everyone, and TSA Baggage captures all of it for readers from a first-hand witness to the whole circus. Strap in and get ready for a great read.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781510721784
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	10/31/2017
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Scott Becker was a member of the first class of recruits for the Transportation Security Administration in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. He joined in November, 2002, at O’Hare International Airport. Despite a lengthy career in business, he started his tenure with the TSA as a baggage screener. He was quickly promoted to Acting Supervisor, Supervisor, and eventually Manager. He has extensive public speaking experience and continues to work in the field of conflict mediation, which he learned during his tenure at the TSA. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Glossary xi

Chapter 1 History 1

Chapter 2 Fifty Acronyms for the TSA 11

Chapter 3 Acts of Heroism, Bravery, and Humanity 13

Chapter 4 Checkpoints, Baggage Zones, Luggage Carousels, and Gate Calls 19

Checkpoints 19

Baggage Zones 35

Luggage Carousels 43

Gate Calls 44

Chapter 5 Animal House 53

Chapter 6 Of Drink and Drugs 59

Drunky, Drunky, Drunk, Drunk 59

Drugs? Those Aren't My Drugs 62

Chapter 7 Relationships with Other Organizations 67

Chapter 8 TSA Employees 71

ORD Leadership 71

Worst Examples of Officers 78

Chapter 9 TSA Blog 85

Chapter 10 FAQs 93

Common Requests/Statements and Responses 93

Common Responses to Questions 94

Chapter 11 An International Incident 95

Mexico 96

India 97

The Middle East 97

France 98

Poland 99

Iraq 99

Turkey 99

Scotland 101

Germany 101

Ireland 102

Chapter 12 Personal Unforgettable Moments 103

Chapter 13 People Whom I Escorted 107

Statesmen and Politicians 108

Foreign Dignitaries 116

Military Severely Injured 117

Celebrities 120

Sports Figures 125

Chapter 14 A Day in the Life 129

Afterword 135

Acknowledgments 137

About the Author 139