Seeing as we're already derailed... most Australian stores have a notice up saying "it is a condition of entry that you present your bags for inspection on leaving the store".

In the U.S., for what it's worth, that kind of a sign is unenforceable in most jurisdictions if the store is a public accommodation.

As the poster who originally brought up Costco correctly points out, the reason they can get away with it there is that it's technically a private club and you've already agreed to it when you signed the membership agreement.

I fly out of SFO a lot, but usually T2, and they do the same thing there. The only times I've pushed back on this demand I was threatened with "DYWFT," but that was a few years ago. I complained to a supervisor afterward and then was threatened with the "give me your boarding pass so we can document this" shake down.

While I agree with your point #2 above, the TSA's argument is that inconsistent security (or "unpredictable" as they call it) makes it harder to find the holes. I think in actuality annoying and inconveniencing the traveling public is all it accomplishes.

When you try your response at SFO, would be great if you'd follow up and post what happens. The name game bothers me but I've typically just found it more fun to read my name off my boarding pass in an obvious manner. I'd certainly love to have other options in case I get bored of that one.

you're correct that the Costco membership policy states that "receipts will be checked as you exit the store", so it's perfectly legal for them to ask for my receipt. There's also no law that requires my compliance, so I smile, offer a "no thanks" and keep walking. It's not like they can detain me for simply declining their receipt check. I have no problem if other people volunteer their receipts, even if it slows me down a bit, but I choose to not be an unpaid member of Costco's loss prevention department.

Slightly different issue than the TSA name game..

I flew out of SFO T2 yesterday and as I'm going through the queue to TDC I hear her asking each passenger to state their name. When I approach the podium I hand her my Nexus card and BP and the following ensues:

Me: "are you getting pre-check here soon?"
TDC: "I'm not sure. We have CLEAR. Aren't they the same?"
Me: "No, with pre-check you keep your shoes on and laptop in the bag."
TDC: "oh. Have a nice flight."

No idea if it was on account of my Nexus card, or just being nice and conversational with the TDC, but no name game was played.

There have been a few times where they haven't asked me, but I always assume they just forgot to ask, but I've never tried using a trusted traveler ID so maybe they automatically relax a little when they see one these days.

I've had say your name at BOS right after showing my GE card and getting 3 beeps on the BP scan. At YUM on Saturday they were playing the game as well with everyone including me when showing GE card.

I interact with or witness at least 10 TSOs every time I transit a checkpoint. 95% professionalism would still translate into experiencing or witnessing an unprofessional incident 50% of the time I transit a checkpoint. So I would guess that your 95% statistic is correct.

PM me if you want a direct contact for DFW.

It may certainly be a requirement that they ask. It is not a requirement that you answer. I went through SFO yesterday, and when the agent asked my name, I simply said, "I don't answer that question." She smiled and said, "Well I guess you know your name" squiggled on my BP and smiled and handed it back to me. ^

If they actually recognize a trusted traveler ID, that puts them a step up on most airports. :D

Thanks for the offer. I communicated with the DFW FSD, AFSD, & CSR. None of these TSA government employees seem to think they have to answer to the public. TSA at DFW is the poster child for what is wrong with the entire agency.

I had the same thing a while ago at LGA (Terminal D). The TSA guy said that if I didn't say my name, I couldn't use pre-check, even though I had cleared. I summoned a supervisor who overruled him.

Bruce

I have always just said my name when asked. But I'm very curious to know how they handle situations involving people who are unable to hear and/or speak. So, next time, when I approach the podium, I may try to have the nerve to do this: Look directly at the screener's mouth. When I'm asked for my name, point to my ear and shake my head no. And then wait.

This really is a problem. I have variable hearing loss. It is a highly unusual medical condition caused partially by stress, so it happens with some regularity at the CP.

I have learned to cope partially by anticipation. There are questions that are expected and I readily discern them and answer them. Things like "What is a NEXUS?" at the TDC and "What kind of tools are these?" at the bag check.

Unanticipated questions are much more difficult. I was once asked to state my name, at least I thought later after some contemplation that this is what the question likely was. My answer in a nice tone was "I'm sorry, I do not understand what you are asking," and "I really do not hear very good, what are you asking again?" After four times the magic squiggle and a go.

They have no realization of the problems of the non-English speaker or the deaf. Some do not care and it is your problem for being different. Some are willing to make accommodation. Some just give up.

Pretty much proof of it being a non-mandatory part of the SOP, if it isn't totally flowcharted out. Just a part of the performance that's allowed to be ad-libbed.

Not my experience - Although I use DFW most frequently, in general, I've had worse experiences at other airports, and I have found DFW complaints to be handled promptly and reasonably. But then my complaints have all been black-and-white procedure violations, rather than "bad attitude/reaction" or "unsettled/unadmitted" questions such as Am I required to play the name game? so I can understand that you may have had a totally different experience in the circumstances you mentioned.

I've played this game in the past during the Q&A session that I refuse to take part in. I've just played deaf and pretended I was flustered by the questions. Eventually the agent gave up and let me through.