Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - TSA now has delta agents doing the name game

Boarding the red eye home from LAS Tonight and about 5 min before boarding starts two TSA trolls lumber upto the gate. The agent at the gate looks up and jokingly says "you two" to which one of the TSA reply "we are here to protect you" to which they all bust up laughing. As we start to board I notice it's not the TSA doing anything (they are sitting on a window sill) but the delta agent is asking each person for their name as she scans their ticket and compares it with the display.

Wow......

Boarding the red eye home from LAS Tonight and about 5 min before boarding starts two TSA trolls lumber upto the gate. The agent at the gate looks up and jokingly says "you two" to which one of the TSA reply "we are here to protect you" to which they all bust up laughing. As we start to board I notice it's not the TSA doing anything (they are sitting on a window sill) but the delta agent is asking each person for their name as she scans their ticket and compares it with the display.

Wow......

The gate agent / airline I can understand potentially doing the name game - revenue protection, verify flight list (in case the worst does happen), etc. If that's not something you want to deal with, then there is likely another airline that won't be doing it and you can easily avoid it.

TSA on the other hand - serves no real purpose and there is no other option.

That said - the TSA sitting on the window sill - I don't know if I should be happy they weren't doing their (anticipated) job and harassing the passengers -- or irritated as all get out that they weren't doing their job and wasting my tax dollars.... ugghh...

The gate agent / airline I can understand potentially doing the name game - revenue protection, verify flight list (in case the worst does happen), etc. If that's not something you want to deal with, then there is likely another airline that won't be doing it and you can easily avoid it.

TSA on the other hand - serves no real purpose and there is no other option.

That said - the TSA sitting on the window sill - I don't know if I should be happy they weren't doing their (anticipated) job and harassing the passengers -- or irritated as all get out that they weren't doing their job and wasting my tax dollars.... ugghh...

How does asking pax to state their name have anything to do with revenue protection or verifying the flight manifest? Checking ID at the gate, yes. Pronouncing your name, I don't see it. It doesn't accomplish anything productive, just like pronouncing it to the TDC doesn't either. You're not proving anything that's not already written in front of the passenger's eyes.

That said, I agree with you that if DL wants to do it, it's their prerogative, but my guess is that it's some kind of TSA request like the OP says.

I thought the big takeaway from this exchange was:
The agent at the gate looks up and jokingly says "you two" to which one of the TSA reply "we are here to protect you" to which they all bust up laughing.

Screeners: "We're here to protect yout" (trying to keep a straight face)

All: "Mhphm...hehe...haha, muw-hahahaa!"

(Screeners start to roll on floor)

Screeners: "Nah, nah, we're really just collecting a decent paycheck and government benefits to sit on a windowsill. Could you do our 'job' this time?"


It's like I can picture this exchange as a scene out of "Family Guy."

The gate agent / airline I can understand potentially doing the name game - revenue protection, verify flight list (in case the worst does happen), etc. If that's not something you want to deal with, then there is likely another airline that won't be doing it and you can easily avoid it.

TSA on the other hand - serves no real purpose and there is no other option.

That said - the TSA sitting on the window sill - I don't know if I should be happy they weren't doing their (anticipated) job and harassing the passengers -- or irritated as all get out that they weren't doing their job and wasting my tax dollars.... ugghh...

I was typing a email to the concierge (left my noise canceling headphones at the hotel, that made for a unpleasant red-eye) while the boarding had started, so didnt notice he asking the first couple people before she asked me, i had been anticipating the TSA doing the whole ID check so was all ready to get argumentative with them...."why are we being checked, didnt we just have our IDs checked? did you have ANOTHER breach in security?". So when the Delta agent asked i just answered and as SOON as i did i realized what was going on.

I dont see how it could be delta rev protection. The TSA is 'supposed' to be the front line of verifying that IDs and BPs match. But this was just the 'pronounce your name' stuff, they werent even cross checking with anyones IDs....totally pointless

I dont see how it could be delta rev protection. The TSA is 'supposed' to be the front line of verifying that IDs and BPs match. But this was just the 'pronounce your name' stuff, they werent even cross checking with anyones IDs....totally pointless

It's more about getting you to comply like little sheep. Same technique used by governments that became authoritarian over the years.