September 2026 Employees of the Month: TSA officers get two thumbs up for helping couple make their flight
Last month, a couple’s delayed flight turned into what they described as a Hollywood action movie when they arrived at Miami International Airport just in time for security screening, only to find the checkpoint closed. The couple’s flight was delayed by two hours, so they thought they had planned enough time to arrive and get to their gate.
When they realized that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint for their flight wasn’t open 24 hours and they had just missed its closing, they feared their travel plans would be ruined – until they ran into TSA Manager Ramon Hernandez.
“Thankfully, and by some grace, we ran into only what we knew him to be as a manager,” the traveler wrote in a thank-you email. “I explained the situation, he acknowledged the issue and immediately assisted getting us swiftly and most importantly - safely through TSA.”
Hernandez quickly called his team back to the workstations to get the couple screened, through the checkpoint, and on to their flight on time.
“This really could be used as either a training video for exceptional knowhow, and service, or even an internal MIA action-thriller short film getting 2 passengers through a gate so successfully - WOW and Two Thumbs Up!” said the traveler. “Again and lastly – impressive by every measure, and I did leave a 5 Star Google review for this. I appreciate the dedication to their craft and continue on with the exceptional work!”
Because of their speedy actions to help two travelers in a desperate situation, Hernandez and his team of TSA officers, Alan Rojas, Nakitta Young, Estenley Desrosiers, Linda Listin, and Luis Guerra, were named MIA’s September 2026 Employees of the Month.
Miami International Airport, America’s busiest airport for international freight and the second busiest for international passengers, is receiving an unprecedented investment of $14 billion in capital improvements and maintenance upgrades. MIA offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport and is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating business revenue of $212 billion and approximately 60 percent of all international visitors to Florida annually.
To request materials in accessible format, Sign Language Interpreters, CART services and/or any accommodation to participate in any Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) public meetings and events please email the ADA Office at ADAcoordinator@miami-airport.com or call the office in 305-869-1859 five days in advance to initiate your request. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).