Pros
Good benefits: health, dental, vision, life; retirement plan, earned annual and sick leave. Optional Union membership.
Cons
They mostly hire at entry-level people at part-time, yet expect you to be available for overtime on demand as needed, so getting a second job really isn't an option. This makes it impossible for a single person with bills to make ends meet. I was lied to during my interview, told that most people hired at part-time status nowdays are immediately offered full-time status on their first day, due to the high turnover and lack of adequate staffing. It was due to this lie that I chose to accept the job, gambling that I would be given full-time status immediately. Well surprise surprise, that didn't happen and I stayed part time. This agency isn't part of the GS system either, so no COLA. TSOs make so very little money that you can't really afford to contribute any significant money to your retirement plan... so what's the point of having it then? The work atmosphere is very toxic. The only reason majority of TSOs stay in this job is due to the benefits. Many managers are ex-military and treat you like it. They will be overly strict and nit-picky over the tiniest things that are completely unrelated to national security. You will never get a compliment for doing a good job, but if you do the smallest thing wrong, they will chew you up for it. TSOs walk around on eggshells, worrying that if they make the tiniest mistake, they will get in trouble or fired. Managers have no compassion for the people who work under them, and the life-issues that will undoubtedly come up. They truly do not care how much they damage you inside. Managers will talk down to you very rudely with zero respect. Passengers will berate you and call you bad hurtful names. I have gone home in tears after work more times than I can count. I wish I could go back in time and stop myself from accepting this horrible job that I am now stuck in until something better comes up.