Security Matters

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What I Do Matters: Justin Dunbarr

 

by Faust, Casey in October 2018

Roswell International Air Center Airport STSO Justin Dunbarr

With his father in the army growing up, Justin Dunbarr lived at various times in Washington state, upstate New York, and even Panama until finally settling with his family in Roswell, New Mexico in the late nineties. As a child, he saw how well military life treated his family and decided to join the Air Force in 1998.

Justin worked in the security forces in the Air Force, securing entry points at gates and buildings and checking credentials to ensure only individuals with proper clearance had access to those areas.

After leaving the Air Force in 2007, he thought aviation security would be a natural transition from his previous duties. That same year, he began working for a contract security company as part of TSA’s Screening Partnership Program at Roswell International Air Center Airport, where he is currently a supervisor.

A typical day for Justin involves ensuring all machines are calibrated and operational and completing the required paperwork. When his Officers arrive, he ensures they are fit for duty and assigns them to their positions for the day. Because his airport is small, he is in the rotation, doing pat downs and bag checks. Additionally, he is involved in the hiring process, payroll, scheduling, and training.

What I do matters because I ensure that passengers who are visiting family members, getting to an appointment, or traveling on business get to their final destination safely. One day recently was one of those days where it felt like we were getting nothing but complaints. But then an older gentleman, who said was seeing his grandchildren off, approached me and shook my hand. He said, “I want to thank you for what you do. You guys are making sure my grandchildren get back home safely.” It hit home and reiterated to me why we do what we do.

The most rewarding part of my job is the community connection. We are a small airport and have regular flyers, both business travelers and families. One of the most enjoyable things is getting to know them. I have been working at my airport for 10 years. There’s one young lady whose daughter is now nine-years-old. She flies out so often that I watched her daughter grow up. I tell her daughter, “I’ve known your mother since before you were born.” I love getting to know our regulars.

I am most proud of my team. They go above and beyond. We don’t have retention or attendance problems. Everyone works together really well. If someone needs time off for vacation or a family emergency, everyone is willing to jump in and cover for each other. Furthermore, their job knowledge is second to none. They have those SOPs down pat. If they stick with this they can go far, every single one of them.

By Casey Faust, TSA Public Affairs

posted on the TSA Blog Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 2:00 PM

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