Can You Work at the Airport With a Felony?

Finding employment when you have a criminal record can always be difficult, whether it is with a private company or a large enterprise like the airport. Airports employ many different types of people, from TSA workers to retail and kitchen work. Depending on which organization is doing the hiring for the position you are interested in, they may have different hiring criteria.

Whether you are looking to work for the airport itself, an individual airline, or one of the many other supporting positions within the airport, any commercial airport is subject to concerns about national security. While you will be applying with that specific company and subject to their hiring practices, in most cases, you will be looking at having to undergo a thorough background check. And most applications will ask some questions about any criminal activity that you are bound by law to answer truthfully. Criminal defense attorney, Paul J. Tafelski is here to discuss whether you can work at the airport with a felony.

Hiring With the TSA

If you are considering a job with the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), they require extensive background checks that will determine whether you get any type of security clearance within the airport.

TSA will use various information to determine the eligibility of an applicant, looking at Interpol, terrorist watchlists, other government databases, and any history of mental illness. They will also look at any criminal convictions. You may be disqualified from working for the TSA for a period of time or permanently, depending on the crime you were convicted of or whether you are wanted or indicted for a felony.

Permanent Disqualification

If you have been convicted, pled guilty to, or found not guilty by reason of insanity of the following felonies, you will be considered permanently disqualified from ever holding a position at the TSA:

• Espionage or conspiracy to commit espionage
• Sedition or conspiracy to commit sedition
• Treason or conspiracy to commit treason
• Terrorism
• Any crime involving a transportation security incident
• Improper transportation of a hazardous material
• Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, manufacture, purchase, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, import, export, storage of, or dealing in an explosive or explosive device
• Murder
• Threat or maliciously conveying false information known to be false regarding the deliverance, placement, detonation of an explosive or another lethal device in or against a place of public use, state or government facility, public transportation system, or infrastructure facility
• Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act

Temporary Disqualification

If you have been convicted, pled guilty to, or found not guilty by reason of insanity of the following felonies within the past seven years, or if you were released from incarceration within five years of your application, you will be considered temporarily disqualified for holding a position with the TSA:

• Unlawful possession, use, sale, manufacture, purchase, distribution, receipt, transfer, shipping, transporting, delivery, import, export, or dealing in a firearm or other weapon
• Extortion
• Fraud and money laundering
• Bribery
• Smuggling
• Immigrations violations
• Distribution, possession with the intent to distribute, or importation of a controlled substance
• Arson
• Kidnapping
• Rape or aggravated sexual assault
• Assault with the intent to kill
• Robbery
• Fraudulent entry into a seaport
• Violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act other than those that permanently disqualify the applicant
• Voluntary manslaughter

Those who have been convicted of a crime deserve the ability to move on with their lives. But unfortunately, if you have a criminal record, it may follow you throughout your life. If you are facing criminal charges, it is important to get the best legal defense possible, so it does not have a detrimental impact on your future. Call Michigan criminal defense attorney Paul Tafelski at (248) 451-2200 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost consultation to see how we can protect your rights and your future.