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© St. Petersburg Times, published June 29, 2002
Office to take applications for baggage screeners
TAMPA -- The Transportation Security Administration, which announced last week that it was taking applications for federal baggage screening jobs at Tampa International Airport, will open a job application center for two days next week for those who wish to apply in person.
The center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 2 and July 3, at the Knowledge Development Center, 1715 Westshore Blvd., Suite 120 in Tampa.
The salary for screeners ranges from $23,600 to $35,400 depending upon experience and the city in which they work. Security screeners receive federal benefits including health insurance, life insurance, retirement, paid vacation and sick leave. Full-time and part-time positions are available.
Application also may be made online at www.tsa.dot.gov or by calling toll-free at 1-877-631-5627.
TAMPA -- A man and a woman helping with the installation of a light pole were shocked Friday morning when the pole touched electrical wires, officials said.
Janelle Badgett, 38, and Ed Collins, 55, were helping a crane operator place a metal light pole near N Dale Mabry and Hudson Road about 11:45 a.m. The crane operator told Hillsborough County Fire Rescue officers that a gust of wind pushed the pole into overhead power lines while Badgett and Collins were holding it.
The pair are independent contractors doing work for the Florida Department of Transportation.
They were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and were alert and conscious when treated in the emergency room, said Fire Rescue spokesman Ray Yeakley. "Which means it wasn't going to be a life-threatening situation," he said.
Tampa Electric Co. spokesman Ross Bannister said 7,620 volts were running through the power line. "They clearly had just sort of a glancing contact," Bannister said. "If it had been a much stronger contact, it would have been a different result, I'm sure."
Badgett was listed in good condition Friday evening, and Collins was in fair condition.