Certified Transportation Security Administration Driver TSA Driver Communication & Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a TSA driver receives conflicting instructions from a ground controller and a ramp supervisor, what is the correct course of action?
- Follow the ramp supervisor's instructions since they outrank controllers
- Stop the vehicle, clarify the discrepancy via radio before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Follow whichever instruction was received most recently
- Proceed using personal judgment and report afterward
Correct answer: Stop the vehicle, clarify the discrepancy via radio before proceeding
When instructions conflict, the driver must halt and clarify via radio to prevent accidents or security breaches.
Question 2: What does the radio term 'WILCO' mean in TSA driver communications?
- Will comply with the instruction received (Correct answer)
- Waiting for confirmation
- Wireless communication channel open
- Will contact supervisor
Correct answer: Will comply with the instruction received
'WILCO' is standard aviation/security radio terminology meaning 'I have received your message and will comply.'
Question 3: During a declared airside emergency, a TSA driver's primary communication responsibility is to:
- Maintain radio silence to keep channels clear for emergency crews
- Immediately report position and status to the operations center (Correct answer)
- Contact the airline operations desk directly
- Notify passengers in any nearby vehicles
Correct answer: Immediately report position and status to the operations center
Drivers must report their position and status so emergency coordinators can account for all vehicles and personnel on the airside.
Question 4: A TSA vehicle driver notices a suspicious unattended bag near a secured perimeter fence. The FIRST step is to:
- Pick up the bag and move it to a more visible location
- Approach and inspect the bag to assess the threat level
- Immediately evacuate the area and report via radio to the operations center (Correct answer)
- Photograph the bag and continue the route to avoid disruption
Correct answer: Immediately evacuate the area and report via radio to the operations center
Unattended bags near secured perimeters require immediate evacuation and radio reporting per bomb threat protocols.
Question 5: Which emergency signal is used by TSA ground vehicle drivers to indicate they need immediate assistance on the airside?
- Three short horn blasts
- Continuous horn sounding combined with hazard lights activation (Correct answer)
- Two long horn blasts followed by one short
- Flashing headlights in a rapid pattern
Correct answer: Continuous horn sounding combined with hazard lights activation
A continuous horn combined with hazard lights is the standard ground vehicle distress signal in most U.S. airport emergency protocols.
Question 6: When a TSA driver's radio fails mid-shift on the secured airside, they should:
- Continue the assigned route and report the failure at shift end
- Return to the nearest access control point, notify security personnel, and obtain a replacement radio before resuming (Correct answer)
- Borrow a personal cell phone from a coworker to stay in contact
- Use hand signals exclusively for the remainder of the shift
Correct answer: Return to the nearest access control point, notify security personnel, and obtain a replacement radio before resuming
Airside operations require continuous communication capability; a failed radio mandates obtaining a replacement before continuing unsupervised work.
Question 7: What information must a TSA driver provide when making an initial emergency radio call?
- Name, employee ID, and personal contact number
- Location, nature of the emergency, and number of persons involved (Correct answer)
- Vehicle model, license plate, and shift supervisor name
- Time of incident, weather conditions, and estimated damages
Correct answer: Location, nature of the emergency, and number of persons involved
Emergency calls must include location, incident type, and casualties so responders can prioritize and dispatch appropriately.
Certified Transportation Security Administration Driver TSA Driver Communication & Emergency Procedures 2
When a TSA driver receives conflicting instructions from a ground controller and a ramp supervisor, what is the correct course of action?