"Washington Reagan National Airport and Washington-Dulles International Airport are now hiring Transportation Security Officers," the ad said. "See yourself in a vital role for Homeland Security. Be part of a dynamic security team protecting airports and skies as you proudly secure your future."
Federal News Radio, WTOP, first reported seeing the pizza box advertisements and similar ads posted on gas station pumps around the city this week. The hungry and inquisitive reporter managed to take plenty of pictures documenting the novel idea to recruit the city's finest for these highly coveted job opportunities with the TSA.
Michelle Basch at
WTOP writes: "...I ordered pizza tonight from a local place, and it came in boxes with ads on them, recruiting for the TSA! I've never seen a job ad on a pizza box before...and does this mean the TSA is desperate, or just creative."
Transportation Security Administration spokesman Greg Soule said the boxed ad method of getting the word out to potential job applicants was intended to reach a "broader applicant pool."
He told the
Washington Post, "The agency routinely uses ad space on Metro trains, at gas stations and in newspapers or buys ad time during movie previews."
Soule declined to provide information on how much the creative ads cost or which restaurants are using the boxes.
WTOP reporter was surprised to find this advertisement on the cover of the cardboard box her pizza was delivered in this week in the Washington Metropolitan area.
Michelle Basch