It's time to implement the TSA's own "zero tolerance" policy for TSA who don't follow SOP: severe discipline or firing.

If the agent doesn't know that a particular card is acceptable ID, then fire her.

When a regular traveler knows more than the agent who is supposed to be running the security checkpoint, then there is something wrong with the system. It's far past time to start weeding out the incompetent ones.

To be honest, I think this is a little much. I would have no problem with a clerk saying "hey, I haven't seen that ID before, do you mind if I take a minute to check in our book/with an LTSO if we accept it?" It's when they refuse it and refuse to check, and instead start the "got a driver's license?" that I have a problem.

And the ones that are competent, but "enjoy" the "perks" of a TSA job.

Which is exactly what I'm referring to in a tit-for-tat zero tolerance policy. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

It amazes me how some people on here manage to get through the day if they view something as trivial as being asked to say your name as a grand violation of your rights. Astounding!

It's almost as amazing as the people who see having a blue-gloved high-school drop-out stick their hands down their underwear as "no big deal."

It amazes me how some people manage to presume to decide for others what is or is not harassment by a government employee. By all means, get your drivers license/passport blown up onto a shirt and tell the world who you are. Put your full name on the seat of your pants so people can see who they're behind.

Some of us have a different opinion: it is none of the government's business who flies as a passenger on a commercial aircraft. EVER.

I've been educating TSA employees on how silly their security theatre is for years, and you're welcome. :p^

I would have to agree with you, but I think if you read through all the posts, the general thrust of the arguments (the OP notwithstanding) is that this is just more of the same feckless security theater from an overfunded agency hell-bent on throwing any old crap against the wall and seeing what sticks.

What really chaps my A$s -- even more than having to go along with this nonsense by repeating my name to idiots who are barely able to read -- is that all of us who fly are paying for this idiocy* with real dollars, and more importantly, are pulling personnel away from performing tasks that could actually help increase airport security and catch real terrorists.


*does anyone remember the "effective" magic strips waved over people's drinks in the sterile area? How many terrorists did that catch?

That's the part I really enjoy. Especially when they pull on the front of the belt giving me a wedgie.

I think the key here is that a real terrorist will scream in horror when those blue-gloved hands near their waistband. Just like an anal probe at your proctologist's office, an innocent traveller will just grin and bear it.

Anything to keep our airplanes safe.

Aren't you still supposed to have your belt off for that bit of theater? Or did you mean "waistband?"

i am swedish. I have been asked several times to give my name in english!? Then it would not be my name at all. Plus it is not even spelt that way when you tell them.So no this is stupid.

I meant waistband, but thank's for the idea: maybe I can get an extra "tug" if I leave my belt on.

You really want to have a good time? Then ask a TSA agent or any American how to say Gothenburg (Göteborg) in Swedish. This will give them a hint of the stupidity that you have to put up with if asked to repeat your name at the security checkpoint.

This is a really good advice. I am going to use it next time they ask where I am going. My sister does live in Gõteborg. Then we have all the places that has "å". One of them is a place I stay in Sweden.