John joined ICTS in August 2003 as a Security Agent working on the Delta, Continental and Aer Lingus contracts. At that time ICTS Ireland was securing 5 or 6 transatlantic flights per day.
“I was trained by ICTS to be a Profiler and in 2004 I completed a Supervisor course which enabled me to supervise the searching of aircraft at Dublin Airport. In April 2005, I attended a GSC course for Delta in Cincinnati (USA). Around this time US Airways started flying from Dublin to Philadelphia. Air Canada, Air Transat and American Airlines soon followed, and we were securing with around 12 to 15 flights per day.”
In 2010, Dublin Airport’s Terminal 2 opened, and the transatlantic flight operation moved to the new terminal. “I was promoted to Operations Manager which included overseeing the T1 Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) operation and the (USA) TSA check point in the new terminal. With the USA preclearance operation at Dublin, we saw an increase in passenger numbers transiting though Dublin and an increase in flights.”
John has had the opportunity to invest in continuing professional development. In 2017, he attended a Charted Management Institute’s (Level 3) Personal Development Plan course in Stockley Park (ICTS offices near London Heathrow Airport) and in March 2018 John attended a 2-day Human Resources course in Manchester. In 2020 he completed a QQI Level 6 Train-the-Trainer course.
Outside of work John enjoys travelling and cooking and walking his two Springer Spaniels – Claret and Blue, named after John’s favourite football team – West Ham.
“As one of a few Brits working at Dublin Airport, I enjoy flying the flag and light-hearted banter, especially around the 6 Nations! After 20 years in Ireland, this is home!”