Born and raised in Roswell, New Mexico, Transportation Security Officer Torian McKnight is dedicated to ensuring the safety of each passenger who comes through his home turf. As a Screener at Roswell Air Center, Officer McKnight monitors flyers and their possessions before they board their flight. After working as a TSO for three years, including during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Torian McKnight excels at his job and was recently nominated as Screener of the Quarter at ROW.
To continue putting his best foot forward, Officer McKnight prioritizes having an outlet outside of work to decompress. He enjoys playing story-based video games or working out during his free time, as well as finding a change of scenery by traveling. He said “I feel like it is most definitely important to have an outlet. I’m an airport screener so it’s very important that you greet the passengers and have a nice, calm tone and you make them feel welcome. In case I do get frustrated during my shift, it’s important to get rid of all that negative stuff you accumulated throughout the shift so once you come back you have a sense of positivity.”
After the challenges of adjusting to new policies and procedures warranted during the coronavirus pandemic, Officer McKnight is confident in his ability as a TSO. He stated “Maybe it’s because I’ve been here for so long and heard everything and seen everything, as far as difficult passengers and differences with coworkers. I feel like the job that I do is a job that I love doing. There is nothing I can’t handle.”
What I Do Matters Because…
“Whenever I see passengers go through with their families, I think of them as my family. I wouldn’t want my family to go on a plane, on a trip, or anywhere that is not secure or hasn’t been vetted properly. Safety, to me, is a big big big thing because no one deserves to be put in danger, especially when it’s unwarranted.”
The Most Rewarding Part of My Job Is…
“The most rewarding part of my job is probably two things. One is I get to meet new people on a regular basis. There are new people who come through with last names I’ve never seen before, and I get to ask them ‘How do you say your last name?’ I don’t want to be disrespectful, and I’ll know how to say it next time they come through. The second part is my coworkers. We have such a great comradery, it’s very wholesome to be around everyone there. Even with those of us with different ideals, we all have the same goal and the same mindset, and we all get along pretty well.”
What Are You Most Proud of at Work?
“The thing I’m most proud of about my work is that everyone feels welcomed and everyone feels safe, all at the same time. I’m sure that at times the passengers feel like we’re invading their space and their property but in truth we’re just wanting to make sure that they’re safe. I can personally say that even if it may feel that way, their safety is our number one priority. I’m proud enough to say that I did my job to the best of my ability, to the best of my knowledge and I feel absolutely confident that at the end of the day I did what I was supposed to do.”
TSO Torian McKnight cares deeply about both the flyers and his coworkers at ROW. He treats everyone as if they’re family, taking a personal interest in their safety, wellbeing, and customer service experience. His dedication to his work and leaving a positive impact are inspiring to the other officers at ROW and BOS Security. Despite the challenges that have come with working in a field so affected by COVID-19, Officer McKnight takes it all in stride, starting each shift on a positive foot.
Join BOS Security in recognizing Torian McKnight as Roswell Air Center’s Screener of the Quarter and for the phenomenal service he provides daily. Officer McKnight is the perfect representation of the BOS Difference.