Vantaggi
Most officers and passengers are a pleasure to work with. Feeling of importance and accomplishment, opportunities to help others daily. Starting pay is high for an entry level position, and full benefit package (including life insurance and retirement) is offered even to part-timers. Offers overnight and Sunday differentials, Holiday pay, and very reasonable earned sick time and personal time (separate.) Lots of inter- and intra-agency mobility opportunities. No "homework" or surprise shifts.
Svantaggi
Schedules are not flexible. Often discipline officers for using earned sick/personal time, sometimes up to 11 months after the fact. Management is rewarded with performance bonuses and promotions for discipline administered on the basis of, "How do we know you're good at managing problems if you don't write anyone up?" Repetitive motion injuries are very common, and higher risk in the bag-rooms. High turn-over. Training sometimes requires travel. Many passengers and some airport employees have little to no respect for officers, and are happy to make their lives miserable. Every pat-down or bag-search could result in sudden death or injury. Increased difficulty relating to anyone who doesn't work in law enforcement, government, or retail.