In the case of someone with a rather distinctive last name, providing a truthful answer aloud could subject them to danger...

I'm thinking along the lines of burglary while they're out of town, brought on by a TSO providing information to others for possible targets. It's not too far-fetched, as I recall there was already one similar operation that TSA discovered which was doing this very thing.

So what do all these mean for interaction at the checkpoint going forward? It's beginning to sound more and more like TSA might have the authority to compel one to interact with agents of the government before flying - and that's a scary thought. This would be another example of how law-abiding airline passengers are treated with fewer rights than convicted murderers and sexual predators.