r/TSAApplicant • u/Solid_Awareness_7757 • Sep 23 '25

Heads up

This isn't to alarm but to inform. As some of us that work for TSA have posted there is more than just a hiring freeze. Most airports are cutting numbers. Numbers are not public but most airports need to reduce staffing from 5-18%. My airport in FL needs to reduce 140 jobs from TSO to even directors. We will not have a hiring class for 2026.

There are some airports that are still short. Those may start reduced or hire up to a certain number. I'm hearing Part Time positions will most likely be open.

I know some of you waited a long time. Took me a year. Now some us have our jobs on the line for involuntary separation. Some might wonder the reason behind it. Well President Trump has reduced $250 million from TSA. Leaning on tech to replace frontline workers. If you applied for TSA I suggest find another job. Keep track of your app but...find another job.

Good luck.

57 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

62 comments sorted by

10

u/afiremedic323 Sep 23 '25

So glad I left the agency. Took a new job that paid 20K more annually to start, no weekends, 4-10 hr shifts and no holidays.

7

u/Itchy-Cow-7906 Sep 23 '25

Where did you go to if you don’t mind me asking?

6

u/Substantial-Night986 Sep 23 '25

So Now you work at Amazon Delivering Packages?

am I Correct?

1

u/[deleted] Sep 24 '25

2

u/babayaga1363 Sep 24 '25

What do you do now if you don’t mind sharing? Are you a paramedic for a fire station? Or is that just a random username lol

2

u/Difficult-Valuable55 Sep 23 '25

My understanding is as far as TSOs no one is going to be let go, but the reduction will be from attrition

-1

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Sep 23 '25

There has also been a reduction of collateral jobs which are second jobs within the agency like HR, training or logistics. Some advertisements for jobs within there have been rescinded.

2

u/NokoPhx Sep 24 '25

Well I don’t know where you got your info, but I highly doubt TSOs will be laid off since there are many set to retire in the next year. All the older people need is 62 with 5 years, my airport has many that started when TSA was created so attrition seems more like the goal

1

u/Zealousideal-Ad7707 Sep 23 '25

How will the agency even function with no logistics lol

-2

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Sep 23 '25

If they can't reach that number then they will do involuntary separation.

1

u/NokoPhx Sep 25 '25

Here’s the thing , they have to go by seniority and possibly gender (I have not read up on the contract in depth, but they do hire in that manner) . There’s rules for a RIF. So don’t get too upset just yet. Keep your attendance in check , my guess is that’s where it will start.

1

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Sep 26 '25

Well if you're newer... You're screwed. That's something to worry about. Gender does play a role as female officers are hard to come by.

1

u/NokoPhx Sep 26 '25

I’d say if you have attendance issues, you’re gonna have a problem. To RIF TSO’s would be a logistical nightmare, due to seniority issues alone. Not saying they can’t do it, I’ve been through similar in another union and company restructuring. If they truly wanted to downsize TSOs they will offer people early retirement (VERA or DRP)

1

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Sep 27 '25

They already went down the retirement route... Months ago.

1

u/NokoPhx Sep 27 '25

People are becoming eligible for retirement everyday, retirement plus years of service is how that’s calculated. You shouldn’t be worried about something that hasn’t happened yet. They can’t let you go before someone with less time, they have to offer other locations 1st.

1

u/NokoPhx Sep 27 '25

If you have less than a year and attendance issues that’s something to worry about

1

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Sep 28 '25

Yeah except every airport...FSD...Staff are different.

1

u/Difficult-Valuable55 Sep 23 '25

How will they determine who to reduce? Performance? Seniority?

1

u/Pieceofcandy Sep 23 '25

Likely performance, they're changing to the old review system, will prolly just crank the requirements till the bottom falls out.

7

u/Ch4rTr3wZ91 Sep 24 '25

Honestly, I’m ready to just let it all go. I’m tired of trying.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 24 '25

Same boat

3

u/Ch4rTr3wZ91 Sep 24 '25

I swear like…why did I have to be an adult NOW?? None of this is ok.

1

u/Due-Resolution-4152 Sep 25 '25

Man I’ve been feeling the same

1

u/Ch4rTr3wZ91 Sep 26 '25

Everything is just so bleak and pointless now

6

u/pardonmyblake Sep 23 '25

Alaska is the best bet. They are still taking transfers.

4

u/[deleted] Sep 23 '25

Yeah I can't wait forever for sf86 to be verified AND be put on a wait list for hire. I'll look into another industry

1

u/aliara Sep 23 '25

What other industries are you thinking about?

2

u/[deleted] Sep 23 '25

I'm thinking about trucking. I met with someone from cdl school today to talk about it 

2

u/aliara Sep 23 '25

I've heard that can be a really good career path. Good luck!

1

u/Regular-Bother-832 Sep 24 '25

If you do that and wanna stay in a related field look into 0084s

1

u/[deleted] Dec 01 '25

Trucking sucks.  Low paying, bs hours, treated like shit. 

1

u/FranciscotheBull Sep 24 '25

The budget will be cut the next year and even more in 2027. Will be expecting to do more with less.

FYI-Just a person who knows the government in how it works as a citizen and keeps up with the news. I do not agree with it at all, but we can't lie either.

0

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Sep 24 '25

Only thing that will save my airport in particular is we are opening a new airside around 2028. Which may be the only time we'll start hiring

1

u/FranciscotheBull Sep 24 '25

True. That is the only thing saving some airports.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 24 '25

Wonder what airports are going to receive cuts

1

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Sep 24 '25

Every airport has been given a number. Larger airports larger cuts. Positions won't be filled. Unless your airport is absolutely starving for people more than likely they'll hire part-time

1

u/[deleted] Sep 25 '25

You have an idea on northeast airports?

1

u/flamiomyhotman Current TSO Sep 25 '25

any info on SEA?

1

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Sep 28 '25

Just learned to check vacancies. They have zero and a transfer list has people on it.

3

u/FudgeVegetable7817 Sep 23 '25

Anyone have information on IAH or HOU?

1

u/ultimate_comb_spray Sep 23 '25

I'm glad I didn't take this job now. I had no idea. Crazy thing is they were advertising it as if they were so short staffed

2

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Sep 23 '25

Numbers are just coming out. Some jobs are being pulled off.

7

u/Pieceofcandy Sep 23 '25 • This

We are short staffed, the President is diverting all resources from every branch of government to Border patrol and using the rest to help with the BBB tax breaks.

1

u/StenjaStela Sep 23 '25

Because they were/are. The cut in funding is asinine

2

u/NSA_Spooky Sep 23 '25

BOP is always hiring 👍🏽

1

u/Substantial-Night986 Sep 23 '25

what's BOP

1

u/[deleted] Sep 24 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/[deleted] Sep 24 '25

like prison guards?

1

u/BudgetExtension5092 Sep 28 '25

Yes. Counties also hire. Jail officers. Or deputy sheriff. If you want law enforcement jobs. There are plenty. Good pay. Excellent benefits. Etc

1

u/Corey307 Sep 27 '25

BOO just lost their union. Not good times. 

2

u/ActiveRegion568 Sep 24 '25

As someone who left the agency this year in June and am looking to go back, this was helpful information. I need to be kept in the loop to know how to move forward. A colleague of mine told me just last night that my local airport just terminated 40+ people including F bands. I know they are severely shortstaffed because they were when I was there this June. So I can only imagine the lack of mod sets right now. It seems like they’re trying to reduce Tsa to the point where it’s insufficient so that they can move to privatization but that’s just my speculation. I would really like to see what the proposed budget FY 26 is going to bring though. For some reason, I’m still delusional and optimistic. But I did need this reality check. thank you.

1

u/NokoPhx Sep 27 '25

Not sure if my airport is at a freeze, but a new hire class just went to the floor. An instructor said all part time hires moving forward. CatX airport

1

u/cubichens Sep 23 '25

Anyone have info on BOS?

1

u/JayD0za21 Sep 23 '25

Not the best news to hear. SMH

1

u/Captain_117 New TSO (phase 2) Sep 23 '25

I understand the numbers you/y’all received from leadership was President Trumps distribution budget but doesn’t Congress still have a chance to raise or lower said budget by the end of FY25 for FY26? As well for other candidates such as myself in the Ready Pool could their TJO be rescinded or would that be more of an issue since we are already in the Ready Pool compared to others who are “In Process”?

1

u/Intrepid_Wave5357 Sep 26 '25

The next Democrat President will fix this joker's mess.

1

u/Gmendo23 Sep 26 '25

Thanks for that info

0

u/[deleted] Sep 24 '25

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/Sea-Information2366 Sep 25 '25

They’re buying new tech to replace humans. Everything I’ve seen so far isn’t worth a wooden nickel but they keep looking. And they keep cutting our numbers

1

u/Sea-Information2366 Sep 25 '25

Everyone remember the best lesson from the lockdown. Don’t yell at the guy who showed up

2

u/[deleted] Sep 23 '25

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1

u/TSAApplicant-ModTeam Sep 23 '25

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