Originally Posted by
DevilDog438
While I know that we all like to rant about the TSA, the OP does not specify whether this happened at an airport where TSA has taken over the ID check or not. Most US airports still retain the private security firms that are "hired by the airlines and not mandated by the TSA" as their ID check stations. Honestly, we would need more information from the OP to determine if this was a TSO that asked the question or a rent-a-cop.
That's a good point, but I don't think it invalidates the point I was making. If it was a private security firm, then the questions "Is this question required by security policy?" and "If it's not required, are security staff authorized to impose such a requirement on their own initiative?" ought to be asked of the security company. If they weren't TSA, then the questions and the complaint should be directed to the airport management.