Transportation security officers screen passengers and luggage for dangerous objects.
Transportation security officers help prevent dangerous objects from getting on board aircraft. They do this by screening passengers, baggage and cargo, using X-ray machines and hand wands to help them do their jobs.
Training
Transportation security officers receive around 80 hours of training before they begin work. Once this training is complete, they receive another 70 hours of training on the job before they can become certified. Certification must be updated every year.
Features
In addition to learning screening techniques, transportation security officers learn use an X-ray machine, a conveyor belt, a hand-held wand and a walk-through metal detector. They also receive training in explosive threat detection and learn calibrate the equipment they use.
Threat Image Projection
Threat image projection (TIP) software is used to train and test security officers every day to make sure they can detect weapons and explosives by X-ray. The TIP software randomly inserts images of guns and other threats onto X-ray pictures of passenger bags as they pass through checkpoints.
Online
The Transportation Security Administration (see Resources) offers self-guided training courses and development activities online. Employees can choose from a wide range of subjects, including security equipment knowledge.
Tags: security officers, before they, dangerous objects, hours training, hours training before, training before
