Screening Officer, Ottawa International Airport
“I love my job at the security screening checkpoint and I take it very seriously.”
Lukwago Caesar Sentongo has worked as a screening officer at Ottawa International Airport (YOW) for 15 years and is currently a training team leader.
Caesar grew up in Uganda, where he endured civil war and unrest. He immigrated to Canada when he was 13 years old and has both a business diploma and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Caesar is a husband and a proud father of two girls ages six and eight. He adjusted his schedule to work evening shifts, so he can be home with his girls during the day.
In recognition of CATSA’s 20th anniversary, we sat down with Caesar to hear about his experience as a screening officer.
This is what he shared:
Q: Why did you become a screening officer?
A: Screening officers play a significant role in keeping passengers and others safe from threats. I enjoy interacting with different people and helping other screening officers guide passengers through the screening process. I am committed to making a difference for screening officers, passengers and the airport community.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your job?
A: Interacting with passengers and helping them through the screening process. We have a good team at YOW and this is what keeps me coming back. I find it relaxing to come to work and I very much enjoy training the screening officers.
Q: What do you think are the skills required to be a screening officer?
A: Listening skills and patience are important.
Q: As a screening officer for 15 years, what advice would you give to new recruits?
A: As a screening officer and training team leader, my priority has always been to treat people the way they would like to be treated. I show respect to screening officers and to passengers. Taking care of passengers and their belongings is very important.
Q: What impact do you want to have on passengers after they come through screening with you?
A: I want passengers to leave the screening checkpoint feeling good about their experience. My goal is to ease anxiety and help passengers understand that we are here for their safety.
Q: What do you see as some of CATSA’s biggest accomplishments?
A: I love the new checkpoint [as of 2021] at the Ottawa Airport. CATSA is always coming out with new technology to help improve the screening process. I find the detection of potential threat items is easier now than it was 15 years ago.
Q: Can you describe what CATSA means to you on a personal level?
A: I don’t take anything for granted. Working as a screening officer and as a training team leader is my livelihood. I’m very proud to be working at CATSA’s screening checkpoint at the Ottawa Airport.