Originally Posted by
btonkid12345
A close friend runs multiple states for TSA, and recently told me that TSA is specifically looking for passengers that (frequently) purchase tickets, pass through the checkpoint, and don't actually fly. Obviously they have access to airline records as to who boarded a flight. So I certainly wouldn't make a habit of it, nor would I assume "no security issues."
If someone is doing this "frequently", then they probably should be suspicious. But for the one time every couple years I need a gate pass for whatever reason, this is the easy way to do it and I can't imagine any issue arising from that.
Other possible use: You are on a foreign carrier that doesn't participate in precheck. Get a precheck boarding pass from your carrier of choice, get thru security and then refund it back. In theory, you've just saved the TSA resources and money, and still paid your tax for the service on your original ticket
.