Originally Posted by
onlyairfare
As a woman who often travels alone, I would rather not have a discussion with a stranger about where I am traveling and what I will be doing there. Others could overhear and use the information to my disadvantage - decreasing rather than increasing my security.
I don't necessarily want to listen to some stranger blather about his kids, especially when I wish to focus removing shoes/belt/laptop, and on avoiding irradiation.
If I have questions about the security process I might ask them, or I might not, since a TSO may give an inaccurate answer - such as an assurance that the backscatter is absolutely safe. If they are patrolling in uniform, those who have questions can ask, without being prodded "Do you have questions?"
Evidence of the lack of knowledge displayed by many TSA screeners can be found in numerous videos of TSA screeners telling people they can't video record the screening area. If TSA can't provide effective training and teach its employees something as simple as video recording is permissible then why should we expect TSA screeners to be competent in any other area of TSA processes?