Transportation Security Screeners

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.