Originally Posted by
Spiff
I don't ask, I just glance at the badge and memorize. Even before a tête-à-tête begins with a miscreant TSA employee, I've already got a name.
I posted a while back about how to develop and practice a technique to do as Spiff recommends. Even if you have a rare non-confrontational trip through a checkpoint, it's a good habit to get into.
If you're not too good at short-term memory, simply lie and say you want to submit a compliment (it's the same form!). They will tell you their life story and probably give you their credit card numbers.