(bolding mine)

I don't care whether this is at the checkpoint or anywhere else. It really really gripes me when a worker is so stupid (and yes, it is stupid) as to say "It's always been the rule".

I have no problem with someone saying "It's been that way as long as I've been working here and I just started last month", but that complete lie, frequently from someone who clearly hasn't been familiar with whatever the process is as long as I have.

I'm sure we've all been asked a similar question, in professional or personal circumstances. Why lie? If the answer is supposed to head off any possible discussion, why not just say "That's the way it is now and I don't know exactly when/why it changed."