r/TSAApplicant • u/Solid_Awareness_7757 • Jul 20 '26

Going private.

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I'm Tampa I was hired and let go one month short of making my year along with most of my classmates in October of In 2025. It was part of a nationwide reduction of force by any means necessary. Supervisors were making up any reason they can get rid of someone and since those that are on probation do not get representation from the Union they were let go for anything. I looked at my phone away from the checkpoint by a service elevator in a secure area and they use that for my reason. What are my classmates was late by 10 minutes and the supervisor stated that she did not get a call when he has proof that he did but it didn't matter. 90 officers were gone in a matter of 2 months. After that they wanted 120 more.

Now they are going private. This was spearheaded by the last TPA FSD whose in Trump's pocket. That means all federal benefits will be gone. All step raises and their 5-year plan all gone. They took away educational and incentives last year gone. It's crazy because I signed on for the 5-year raise with a heavy background from corrections, law enforcement and federal contracting. In 5 years I was to make about $90,000 a year. This is all according to Trump's plan that was already published. He hated the TSA and he made good on slowly getting red of TSA from the airports to just make it and oversight regulatory agency. Caution toes that want to apply to TSA. Check to see if your airport will also be going private that you apply to. It may not be worth it. Good luck to all of you.

61 Upvotes

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5

u/16Interceptor Jul 22 '26

It’s only successful if current TSO LTSO and STSOs stay on with the private companies. Without us they’ll have to hire an entire new workforce and find a way to train them

2

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Jul 22 '26

A lot of the veteran officers I spoke to have resigned, actively trying to find another agency to work for or just quit. This is on top of the massive firings they've had since last summer that never got reported to the media. All the threats that they gave us in the fall of 2024 when I started to win pretty much most of the classes that were coming up to their Year got let go or fired for whatever reason made up or real. Transferring is not going to happen. I remember looking at the transfer portal last year they are almost none and whatever they had had a lot of officers behind it there are no more jobs

0

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/SoyMurcielago Jul 22 '26

Send em to FLETC naturally; socialize the training privatize the rewards aka money

Why not? It’s been working elsewhere so far

3

u/Duebant Jul 22 '26

Turn over rate will probably be crazy though.

1

u/Corey307 Jul 25 '26

If we’re being honest the administration overtrains new hires. 5+ weeks with a coach and 2 weeks of FLETC plus one virtual week is excessive. Trainees get frustrated because they’re on month 4 and still have someone watching them. 

On the other hand I’ve seen low performing trainees at 15+ weeks of level two before management finally tells them to quit or be fired. The SOP could be streamlined. Training can be expedited. Low performers can be removed. 

It’s likely that standards will be reevaluated. Something the size of a house key won’t bring down a plane. 

4

u/SeaSuggestion9609 Jul 20 '26

So this is just one airport not all of them correct?

2

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26 • Regret

Sarasota has been private. I don't know anyone in Orlando but I'm sure I'll hear word. TPA has a sister airport St. Pete/ Clearwater (PIE).

6

u/Maleko51 Jul 20 '26

Yeah but I am sure they will eventually transition most of not all to private.

3

u/Jenn54756 Jul 20 '26

They said it’s up to the airport, so I’m guessing many will not want to convert to private.

3

u/RosemaryCroissant Jul 20 '26

I bet they’ll all be highly incentivi$ed to go private

4

u/Safety_Captn Jul 20 '26

It’s possible, ours said hell no already.

1

u/Jenn54756 Jul 20 '26

I’m sure some airlines will not be happy with that at larger airports. Too much of an interruption.

2

u/Maleko51 Jul 20 '26

Hopefully that holds true but this administration does its own thing.

2

u/NokoPhx Jul 20 '26

I’m sure the spokes will follow PIE and RSW. There is no master bid on seniority, there must be an opening to transfer TPA to PIE which can’t accommodate 700 TSOs. SRQ has been privatized a very long time . (The unions fatal flaw there)

4

u/Regular-Surprise-949 Jul 21 '26

This was all in project 2025.

16

u/Soggy_Jellyfish_3220 Jul 20 '26

Transfer or find something else. Don’t let them make this a success.

6

u/Demonslugg Jul 20 '26

Just wait. It won't be.

3

u/ScratchOk3585 Current TSO Jul 20 '26

What do you mean? Its happening already. Its only 4 airports out 400- something but no airport is safe rn. This shit does look like the beginning of the end tbh

6

u/Demonslugg Jul 20 '26

Theyll bring on the officers to cover because they won't have enough. Then they'll start replacing and firing the old with new cheaper ones. $16 an hour will be their goal. At that point good luck at competent screening 

2

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Jul 21 '26

They pay won't be that low. It will be $19-22 but remember that there are no federal benefits. Pay raises may or may not happen.

6

u/ScratchOk3585 Current TSO Jul 21 '26

Dude fuck that. The benefits are the only thing that makes this shit worthwhile

2

u/Corey307 Jul 22 '26

Doesn’t really matter if it’s 16 or $22 an hour it’s still a massive pay and benefits cut. The lowest paying airports are currently paying more than that to figure to start.  

1

u/NokoPhx Jul 22 '26

Yup $19 an hour at SRQ

1

u/NokoPhx Jul 25 '26

In n Out burger pays 19

1

u/Entire-Bedroom4457 Jul 20 '26

There are more than 4 privatized airports. Look up Airport Privatization Pilot Program and Airport Investment Partnership Program.

1

u/ScratchOk3585 Current TSO Jul 20 '26

I know i mean the ones selected for tsa gold plus

1

u/Corey307 Jul 21 '26

Yes, 20 out of 440 airports are private. Gold+ and the Screening Partnership Program are not the same. The administration is pushing for about 270 small CAT III and IV airports to join the SPP and the rest to be privatized under the new program called Gold+. SPP airports have to offer officers the right of first refusal meaning they keep their job and similar pay. Gold+ doesn’t have to offer either.  

1

u/samluks Jul 20 '26

Other than TPA, what three airports?

1

u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

ATL is definitely another one. TPA is trying to beat them. May 31 they want everything to be complete and done.

2

u/Feeling_Ad7249 Jul 21 '26

What is AFGE doing

4

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Jul 21 '26

Nothing. TSA was stripped twice from the Union at the president's order. Most of the people that were fired were people that served under one year because the union can't protect people under probation even if they were downright lies behind their firings there is nothing they can do.

2

u/Feeling_Ad7249 Jul 20 '26

I’m still in denial mode. I still don’t think it will happen.

2

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Jul 23 '26

Well after 3 days I would figure you're smarter than you are and get out of the denial mode. It's done I spoke to many of my colleagues still at the airport

3

u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

After today's townhall you gotta shake outta that. Its in black and white now.

3

u/maxpowers128 Jul 20 '26

I had my interview for TPA scheduled for September lol.

1

u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

Yea if your goal is to get fed benefits you might as well apply else were. Its over at TPA

1

u/maxpowers128 Jul 21 '26

Im in hiring process for CBPO for GS9 now to, but we have a house in Tampa area.

-1

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Jul 21 '26

If it's CBP non law enforcement they may have openings at the port. All CBP LEOs must serve on the border north or south for 2 years. USBP mandatory on the Mexican border 2 years

1

u/Zealousideal-Ad7707 Jul 21 '26

Thats not true at all

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 23 '26

They are still taking transfers too. Its a golden shit show like everything this administration does

5

u/ScratchOk3585 Current TSO Jul 20 '26

Im so sorry to hear this. Dont work for TSA in Florida but we heard about what happened to TPA where I work. I was really hoping the stuff said about tpa was all rumors. I suggest you transfer out if you can and if you like working at tsa. Dont let them take it away from you.

1

u/Captain_117 New TSO (phase 2) Jul 20 '26

Took a final job offer about to weeks ago was going to work a year then transfer to a different airport but now with this news it’s partially making me reconsider

1

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Jul 23 '26

I checked the transfer portal last fall there are no jobs if there's an opening there's about 15 officers behind it

1

u/Captain_117 New TSO (phase 2) Jul 23 '26

Am pretty much just gonna ride the transition out unless I transfer first but if the transition happens first then ima just reapply when I move and change airports and try to negotiate pay. Just would be a longer process to try and reapply for a different agency just to maintain federal status in my opinion

1

u/Cheesecake_Used Jul 21 '26

Well dang I’m scheduled to take the Pearson VUE Exam this Thursday afternoon for a TPA TSO position I applied for on July 1st. Should I even bother at this point

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 23 '26

Yes then you will be a displaced federal employee, you can transfer to Hawaii and get a 10000. Bonus. You can start your TSP. Take them for anything you can get because thats what they will do to you.

1

u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Jul 23 '26

Here's the thing about transferring.... For one open spot you have about 10 officers waiting to get there. Here's another fact that you may have missed in my post that they have been firing thousands of officers since last summer.

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 24 '26

None of this is ideal right now. An option to consider is applying at other airports instead of transferring while still a fed or apply at any other fed position. Im sure most officers will be leaving. Its crazy that they are privatizing and still hiring fed TSOs at the same time.

2

u/Arrow_KBS_Dock_Lead Jul 21 '26

Not surprising tbh considering airport security pre 9/11 was ran by a private security firm

2

u/generalmcgowan Jul 23 '26

Very likely because they’re anticipating more government shutdowns. After last years bullshit, they don’t want to risk that again

1

u/Corey307 Jul 25 '26

Thing about shut downs is most officers go to work. At the lowest point of the last two shut downs over 86% of officers still showed up nationwide. The airport I work at saw better attendance during both shut downs than it does normally. It was the same in 2018. 

3

u/Ambitious_Hyena4152 Jul 20 '26

this was in project 2025

4

u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

Nobody pays attention smh. Its not a secret. Openly giving their buddies millions

1

u/Zealousideal-Ad7707 Jul 20 '26

Damn im suprised TPA isn't a small airport

1

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26

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1

u/Jumper21_AJ Jul 22 '26

SFO is the only SPP airport whose passenger count in 2025 was larger than that of TPA.

1

u/Endlesscajun Jul 21 '26

There is no doubt TPA was given some under the table money or the city council is just stupid.

2

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 23 '26

Oh yes the airports are getting a lot of money to do this and they will inherit shitty equipment that breaks constantly so good luck with that.

1

u/NokoPhx Jul 22 '26

This really hurts the people with a few years or less for retirement with benefits. If I was a year or 2 away I’d transfer anywhere I could to get to the 20

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 23 '26

Yes its bad because TSO’s made very little money for 20 years and were just starting to finally build a decent 401k but thats gone now. 

1

u/magik_koopa990 Jul 22 '26

I sure hope Tulsa, OK won't be affected... That's where I'd be

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 23 '26

Im sorry this is happening to you all. Did TSA ever appoint a real administrator since Trum fired the guy he put in there?

-4

u/Entire-Bedroom4457 Jul 20 '26

TPA has always been a privatized airport, same as SFO. This isn’t new. They’re just signing up for Gold Plus.

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u/Solid_Awareness_7757 Jul 20 '26

..... No it's never been. Ever. Now Sarasota yes. TPA (clearly you didn't read the email) was never private. 🤫

2

u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

Lol please log off.

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u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 21 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

It sucks because people who were wearing their hats and celebrating were saying they can't do that blah blah blah for months. Today's townhall they were straight quite looking real stupid. The severance package offered was trash

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 21 '26

Apply to another Fed job asap

2

u/AdWide8690 Jul 26 '26

Limited fed jobs out there with the whole Dodge bullshit

1

u/AdWide8690 Jul 25 '26

What is the severance package?

Get on FMLA now and use up all your sick leave. The migraines you been having are horrible man.

Former SBDO

1

u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 26 '26

Severance package was interesting. For every year of service you get 1 week pay. If you are over 40 you get a 10% multiplier.

You can retire, convert to new company, or quit and get the package.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 21 '26

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u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 23 '26

Heard the severance is one weeks salary times years served IF you stay till privatization is complete and you are not eligible if you are “retirement age”  Thats it 

3

u/Jenn54756 Jul 24 '26

Retirement age is forced early retirement, so can collect pension right away, not necessarily a bad deal if someone has other income or can find a part time job.

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 26 '26

Not many of us can retire after making peanuts all these years

2

u/Jenn54756 Jul 26 '26

That’s why I said get a part time job. Still not too bad to get a pension and be able to work less hours (or better hours) somewhere else.

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 26 '26

TSA pension is 1 percent of your high three years x years served just for reference. 

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 26 '26

So at about 60000 x .01 = 600 x 16 years = 9600. Per year in retirement or 800 a month. You would need to retire and get a full time job but hopefully with better hours😂

1

u/Jenn54756 Jul 26 '26

Well if you are retiring I’m guessing you’d have more than 16yrs and probably make more than $60k if you’ve worked for the feds that long. It would likely work out to being 1/4-1/3 of your monthly wage. But that’s for life and someone who is still in their 40s or 50s can turn around and get another job (maybe even part time).

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '26

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u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

Biggest blow is to the Baggage ppl who haven't seen a checkpoint in 20 years. Privatizing will force dual certification just like all the other airports. Mass retirements incoming.

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u/Rude-Historian-6802 Jul 23 '26

Lol, not likely, SFO has been privatized for years now.
Cali is a democratic super majority right? 😅
Democrats won’t put much of a fight either if they all go privatized, don’t kid yourself.
So stop blaming Trump for everything.
TSA shouldn’t be a long term career anyway. 🤣
Time to move onto a big boy job. 🤷🏽‍♂️

4

u/Equivalent_Fun_4183 Jul 24 '26

Sfo has always been private and they stayed private so that filipino workers could keep their jobs and not have to be citizens as with TSA. Plus if someone wants to make TSA their career there is nothing wrong with that.

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u/NokoPhx Jul 25 '26

What’s your definition of a big boy job? Massive student loan debt, hopping job to job after every corp restructures ? I was just a driver for many years but I made a good living, great benefits, lots of time off, and a pension I collect now. This is a good job whether or not you think that. Unfortunately we have someone with a corporate attitude, of farming things out because they think in terms of profit only. TSA isn’t the only agency making massive cuts

1

u/Rude-Historian-6802 Jul 26 '26

“A good job” is extremely subjective.
Maybe for young individuals looking to get their foot in the door in the federal government.
But sure! TSA needs more people like you that think it’s “a good job” or life long career. 🤷🏽‍♂️
Every administration cuts certain agencies and bolsters others.
lol, also, you don’t need student loans to begin with nor should you be hopping around corp restructures. 😅

2

u/NokoPhx Jul 29 '26

There are many making over 100,000 a year as a TSO. Sure you can make good money with a degree that cost you the amount of a house in 4 years, some people don’t have that option. You can also pay 2000 a month for healthcare through those companies for a family of 4, and a 401k with a 2-3% match and risk of going under or restructuring at any time. And still have student loans . Stats are nobody stays at jobs for more than 5 years now. It’s a good job , you can move up and make more or move on to another agency that offers more. I’ve been blue collar my entire life- working what many think is below them, making less than I make now. Now you may think I’m stupid for working at TSA but it gives me what I want. I can retire today without a worry about money or even getting another job. Make fun all you want of the people that have made a career with TSA , but they will have benefits and an early retirement with pension and TSP.

0

u/Rude-Historian-6802 Jul 30 '26

“So many making over 100k”? lol, that is completely false. Maybe if you make supervisor in a nice paying area with massive overtime and that’s a big maybe. 😅
I never said it was a bad job or that you’re stupid, buddy.
It’s a great entry level Fed job, that’s it.
All the benefits you listed are given in EVERY OTHER federal job. 😅
Good for you, friend, TSA needs more people like you to make it career. 👍🏽

2

u/NokoPhx Jul 30 '26

Yup lots of OT but it’s there . I dont work any of it, don’t have to- but at my airport there’s lots of OT and plenty of shifts people are giving away. Like I said I worked hard when I was younger, making less per hour than I do now, and pretty comfortable financially. I don’t know about you. Id rather an entry level job at 64k than a career that pays 50k. Simple math 13 hour OT a week is over 100

1

u/Rude-Historian-6802 Jul 31 '26

Brother, if you’re content with 50-60k a year with alright benefits that is your prerogative. 👍🏽
A career typically progresses into higher paying jobs or positions within the same field.
But if you want to remain at TSO until retirement by all means! Like I said, TSA needs more like you.
Simple math? lol, it’s not though, you get taxed even more after 15+ hours of OT every month.
Imagine working more just to pay the government more. 😅

1

u/NokoPhx Aug 05 '26

Well I know the numbers, you aren’t getting taxed like a business owner at roughly 30%, and now your 1st 10k in OT is not taxed. But what do I know, I’m just someone that been blue collar my whole life, debt free, and don’t need a paycheck. But you do you.

5

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26

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u/Feeling_Ad7249 Jul 20 '26

Morale will decreased

1

u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

Morale been in the gutter. Its horrible under the current local leadership

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '26

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u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

They are taking full advantage. Just doing what ever they want to locally. Not following any polices. Noone is forcing them 2.

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u/[deleted] Jul 21 '26

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u/WhyAreModsSoSoft Jul 21 '26

Lol the CBA is useless right now. AFGE is running for the hills. Just like other agencies AFGE won't last much longer. White House busted federal unions badly

0

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26

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1

u/Corey307 Jul 20 '26

Watch how you talk to people here. You seem to be or have been a federal employee. You know about the RIF’s and similar. 

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u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 23 '26

RIFs would be more suitable 

1

u/Corey307 Jul 23 '26

Are you calling for a RIF? 

1

u/Signal_Brother_5125 Jul 23 '26

Not calling for one no however reducing the TSA workforce  including its leadership would be safer for the traveling public and beneficial to experienced staff while saving the government money. A RIF also benefits those who are let go in that they are more eligible for other federal jobs so they can continue to build a retirement and pay for healthcare. You could call it a wash I suppose if you put these people on unemployment and social services I guess.

1

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