New York City TSA Workers Say Events Of 9/11 Were A Call To Action
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The 9/11 attacks were life changing for most Americans. The Transportation Security Administration -- better known as the TSA -- was created as a result.
On Tuesday, the 11th anniversary of the terrible day, CBS 2's Elise Finch talked to employees who said their careers with the agency are a direct result of that September day.
All over the country people are sharing stories about 9/11, including at the TSA offices in East Elmhurst, Queens. Longtime air marshal Alfred Burgess said he was burned out from a decade of performing international missions. He said he was on the verge of quitting -- until he watched the towers fall.
"There was no doubt in my mind that I needed to be an air marshal. I needed to continue being an air marshal," Burgess said.
Sabrina Bojko-Sosa was 13 years old on the day of the terrorist attacks.
"My neighborhood, we have a view of the skyline of Manhattan and you could see like this dark cloud looming over the city. And that kind of always stayed with me. I'll never forget," Bojko-Sosa said.
Today she's a TSA officer at LaGuardia Airport.
"For me, this is my way of making my contribution to my country," Bojko-Sosa said.
Jose Perez said he wanted to do something but joining the military and leaving his family wasn't an option.
"I felt like I could stay home and I could still give back," said Perez, now a lead TSA officer.
Timothy Brennan said he was in between jobs and thought his years spent as a film editor would be an asset to the newest federal agency.
"My experience looking at film negatives for years I may somehow be helpful in looking at X-ray images," Brennan said. "Out of all the jobs I've had in the course of my life this is the one I'm most proud of."
None of these New Yorkers lost a loved one on Sept. 11, 2001, but like so many Americans their lives were forever changed.
The TSA officers said even though their work is often seen as an inconvenience, it's an important part of preventing terrorist attacks.
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