Transportation Security Screeners
Key Tasks
- Inspect carry-on items, using x-ray viewing equipment, to determine whether items contain objects that warrant further investigation.
- Search carry-on or checked baggage by hand when it is suspected to contain prohibited items such as weapons.
- Check passengers' tickets to ensure that they are valid, and to determine whether passengers have designations that require special handling, such as providing photo identification.
- View images of checked bags and cargo, using remote screening equipment, and alert baggage screeners or handlers to any possible problems.
- Test baggage for any explosive materials, using equipment such as explosive detection machines or chemical swab systems.
- Perform pat-down or hand-held wand searches of passengers who have triggered machine alarms, who are unable to pass through metal detectors, or who have been randomly identified for such searches.
- Notify supervisors or other appropriate personnel when security breaches occur.
- Send checked baggage through automated screening machines, and set bags aside for searching or rescreening as indicated by equipment.
- Decide whether baggage that triggers alarms should be searched or should be allowed to pass through.
- Locate suspicious bags pictured in printouts sent from remote monitoring areas, and set these bags aside for inspection.
- Follow those who breach security until police or other security personnel arrive to apprehend them.
- Inform other screeners when baggage should not be opened because it might contain explosives.
- Inspect checked baggage for signs of tampering.
- Ask passengers to remove shoes and divest themselves of metal objects prior to walking through metal detectors.
- Close entry areas following security breaches or reopen areas after receiving notification that the airport is secure.
- Challenge suspicious people, requesting their badges and asking what their business is in a particular areas.
- Patrol work areas to detect any suspicious items.
- Contact police directly in cases of urgent security issues, using phones or two-way radios.
- Record information about any baggage that sets off alarms in monitoring equipment.
- Watch for potentially dangerous persons whose pictures are posted at checkpoints.
- Contact leads or supervisors to discuss objects of concern that are not on prohibited object lists.
- Confiscate dangerous items and hazardous materials found in opened bags and turn them over to airlines for disposal.
- Monitor passenger flow through screening checkpoints to ensure order and efficiency.
- Inform passengers of how to mail prohibited items to themselves, or confiscate these items.
- Provide directions and respond to passenger inquiries.
- Direct passengers to areas where they can pick up their baggage after screening is complete.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
94%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
93%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
91%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
90%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
89%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
86%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
85%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
85%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
83%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
83%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
82%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
81%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
77%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
76%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
71%
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
71%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
70%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
69%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
69%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
68%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
66%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
62%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
60%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
58%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
58%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
56%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
55%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
54%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
52%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
50%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
49%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
47%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
47%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
45%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
45%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
42%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
42%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
41%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
41%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
41%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
40%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
39%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
38%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
37%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
36%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
35%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
26%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
24%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
24%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
22%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
15%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
8%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
7%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
6%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
5%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
3%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
1%
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Less than high school diploma
Interests
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
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