Even though TSA officers are federal employees, they don't have the same rights as other employees at other agencies, thanks to the law creating TSA that gave the agency wide discretion on what it wants to do with employees.
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Since its inception following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, TSA employees have been part of a siloed personnel system, where they do not receive regular raises like most other federal workers and lack due process and whistleblower protections.
While all screeners operate under the airport federal security director (who's a federal employee of the TSA), the screeners themselves are hired and managed by private security companies. Regardless, all checkpoint screeners, while not government employees, are tasked with a common mission handed down by the TSA.
Transportation security administration (TSA) agents, also known as Transportation Security Officers (TSO), are uniformed employees that provide security and protection for all travelers, and prevent dangerous materials and people from entering transportation hubs.
Even though TSA officers are federal employees, they don't have the same rights as other employees at other agencies, thanks to the law creating TSA that gave the agency wide discretion on what it wants to do with employees.
In summary, TSA agents do not automatically get free flights or premium travel benefits simply for their government work screening passengers. The only way TSA agents can access free travel is through airline family programs, which are also available to other airline employees' families.
Most TSA employees are TSO's who do not have arrest powers and do not carry weapons of any kind, including guns. However, there are some individuals under the TSA such as Federal Air Marshals who do have law enforcement powers and are allowed to carry guns through the airport and even on planes.