As a very frequent flyer, I often volunteer my answers in advance to the security questions, just to save time (for myself and the check-in agent). Usually, the agent will laugh and say something like, "You've done this before, obviously." All very friendly.

Occasionally, I get some lunatic who insists that the answers are valid ONLY if the airline gets to ask the questions first! This is completely absurd, of course, and not required by any government rule. The airline has to obtain the information, but getting it voluntarily is pefectly OK.

This problem has occurred most often with Delta employees at DC National Airport. The staff there either truly believe that my voluntary disclosures don't count OR they enjoy being gigantic pains in the a**. On at least two occasions, I had to get supervisors to check me in because the original agents refused to deal with me after debating this issue.

Of course, the questions are nonsense in the first place. They provide security only for the airlines, who prevent passenger-switiching on nonrefundable tickets.

Bruce