Unsung Heroes: The Tampa airport police chief on being a better traveler — and staying out of jail
Editor's Note
With more than 60,000 passengers, employees, and visitors passing through each day (90,000 in pre-pandemic, 'normal' times), Tampa International Airport (TPA) is like a city. And, as in any city, small or large, there are community standards and laws that must be obeyed. These days that includes following the federal mandate to wear a mask covering your face and nose while in the airport.
The federal mandate has been extended to January 18, 2022, and at TPA anyone who refuses to comply with that rule must ultimately deal with TPA Police Chief Charlie Vazquez and his team of 81 officers.
We sat down with Charlie Vazquez to get the 411 on some of the duties of an airport police chief, airport crime, TPA's "mask blitzes," and where he'd like to go on vacation.
Unsung hero: Charlie Vazquez, Director of Public Safety and Security/ Chief of Police at Tampa International Airport (TPA)
TPG: What was your path to become Chief of Police at Tampa International Airport?
CZ: Before coming here I was with the Houston Police Department for 24 years. I retired from there in 2017 as Assistant Police Chief and have been at Tampa International Airport as Director of Public Safety and Security/Chief of Police for four and half years.
TPG: What sort of responsibilities does your job entail?
CZ: We enforce all laws and some federal regulation. And we provide for the safety, security, and mobility of passengers and employees at the airport. A lot of people are surprised that the airport even has its own police department. We arrest people every day, some people for theft, some people for warrants.
With 60,000 people coming through the airport everyday you're always going to have issues. Sometimes just disturbances, misunderstandings, and people who have no business being here. Occasional there are assaults. And there is theft. Lucky for us the whole airport is under video surveillance, so we have a very high clearance rate for property crimes. And yes, we do have a jail on property.
Related: FAA reaches $1 million benchmark in fines issued to unruly passengers
TPG: Do you get involved when a firearm is found at a security checkpoint?
CZ: Yes. It happens quite a bit, several times a week. Here in Hillsboro County if you have a permit to carry a concealed weapon [CCW] more than likely you will not be arrested. More than likely, we'll escort you off the airside. But if you don't have a CCW, it becomes a felony, and you will be arrested.
TPG: We hear a lot of stories about the rise of unruly passengers on airplanes. Do you see that reflected in the airport?
CZ: Yes, it seems to be people are not as nice, or they're aggravated with each other. There does seem to be an uptick in it and lot of it is related to masks.
TPG: How has your team been dealing with passengers who don't wear masks?
CZ: Wearing masks is technically not a law, it's a federal mandate that we help enforce.
If you won't put on your mask and the airline or the airport tells you to leave and you don't, then it becomes a crime of trespassing and that's usually when we get involved. The last thing we want to do is put people in jail over a mask, so we give reminders to people to put their mask on, explain the mandate and why it is important, and tell them what will happen to them if they don't comply. So far, we haven't had to arrest anyone for trespassing because they haven't put on the mask.
Related: Mask mandate during air travel, other public transport will be extended until January
TPG: We understand that TPA has mask minders who do regular "mask blitzes' in the airport?
CZ: For about a month now we've been sending out teams to let people know that we are enforcing the mandate. We all meet at a centralized location, we all get masks to pass out, and we each take a territory – baggage, rental car center, airside – and in teams of two or three we go around to tell people to put on their masks. They call it a "mask blitz," but it is more like a target enforcement action or a mask audit. We're not about mean mugging people or staring at them; we approach them and remind them to wear their mask indoors. No one really wants to be the mask police – especially the police.
TPG: From your experience as a police chief, what advice can you give people who want to be better passengers?
CZ: My advice would be to read and pay attention to all the dos and don'ts from the TSA, the airport, and the airlines. Pay attention to where you leave your phone, your computer, your iPads, and your other belongings at the airport. We have a lot of laptops left in restrooms. And sometimes people loading luggage into their cars at curbside leave a bag behind. Mostly, understand that there's extra pressure now for everyone – including the airline staff and even the police – so be kind to your fellow traveler.
Related: You're not crazy: Loss of travel is causing people to feel stress and anxiety
TPG: How has working in the airport changed your idea about traveling?
CZ: I allow for a lot more than time than I did before, because I understand things don't always go as planned. And I've learned to be nicer to other people traveling, because I've seen the other side of things. Sometimes you're traveling to a funeral or a bad event, or you are going to being separated from someone for a long time. Airports are very emotional places.
TPG: If you could go anywhere in the world, on vacation where would it be?
CZ: I can still remember Miss Coleman's third grade Social Studies class where she showed us a little town in Holland that had an attraction where the city was made in miniature. I can't remember right now which town that was, but I'd like to go see that miniature city. ()
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.