90-Year-Old TSA Officer: Joy & Grit

0:00Lauren Santucci just hit 90 years old and is the oldest TSA officer in the nation, working at John Wayne Airport in Southern California. Colleagues threw him a surprise birthday bash right at the terminal this week, celebrating his upbeat vibe and steady hand screening passengers every day. He jumped at the TSA back in 2008, already in his 70s after a long run in telecoms hit some rough patches. To land the gig, he trained hard, lugging 60 pound weights around a sporting goods store to prove he can handle the physical demands. Everyone at the airport raves about him, co-workers call him an uplifting force who greets folks with a smile and he racks up more passenger, compliments than most. His daughter says it's all about putting people in country first, giving him that deep sense of purpose. Santucci's journey started on a Rhode Island farm, then Army service, and now this. He trains new hires, helps travelers with special needs, and loves every interaction, calling it a beautiful ride full of great people.

1:02No retirement on the horizon for him. What's he gonna do? Just sit around? At 90, he's still showing us all how to keep serving with joy and grit. That's the story for today. Durham News Today, Driven by AI, I'm Corey with The Story.