Welcome to FlyerTalk!

There are all kinds of things you can do with the Trained Document Checker for your own amusement if they ask you questions:

• Tell the TDCer that they can go play Behavior Detection "Ossifer" with someone else (the look on some of their faces is priceless when they find out you know the lingo, like someone stole their secret decoder ring).

• Answer with some random Klingon phrases you’ve memorized.

And if they ask your destination:

• Rattle off all the destinations on your insane MR; see if their head ‘splodes.

• Crane your neck around to look at your BP they are holding and say “Uhh, lets see here… Chicago!”

• State a destination that is not on your BP. For example, if your BP says DTW, tell them TOL. When they ask for clarification, launch into a long dissertation filled with random “too much information” about how the girls that work at the health spa on Airport Highway in TOL really have what it takes to get you going.

Happen to me at DFW last month.

The TSA agent asked what my name was and I replied, "The one that is on my boarding pass and drivers license."

He said nothing and I was off on my way.

"If you could read, you wouldn't have to ask, would you?"

Welcome to Flyertalk, TXagogo.

Hard to tell from your description exactly whether a Travel Document Checker or Behavior Detection Officer asked for your BP and ID. Either way, you're not compelled by law to play their name games. Feel free to say nothing, ask if you're free to go or state that you're not interested in being SPOTted* today.

*From the forum glossary: SPOT = Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique. Those DHS personnel who have been trained in this are known as BDO's or SPOTniks.

[QUOTE=TXagogo;15023589]I have had several encounters at my home airport (DFW) whereby the agent in the security line takes the boarding pass and ID and then asks "what is your name?" [QUOTE]

Just look ery lost and say "�Qu�?"

As far as I know, the ability to speak or understand English is not a requirement to fly unless you sit in an exit row. This answer might work better in a non southern border state where the TDC might happen to know Spanish.

OMG, I am laughing so hard right now!

Since we have to include Middle names now, I like BEN DOVER WRIGHT

Hey folks,
All great answers - thanks!

Actually, in my younger days (mid-30s now) I would have used many of these and probably would have thrown in a few of my own. But now I'm at the point where I'm just too fed up to even bother. That being said however, I no longer intend to play the question game.

While I am never overtly rude, I simply will not tolerate anything more than what is absolutely required from me at the checkpoints. By the way, it was a "trained" document checker (aka, just got fired from her position as lead cashier at Kroger last week) that asked me that question. There were two of them and they were both asking every pasenger. Does anyone know:

a.) WHY they would ask this
b.) WHAT exactly do they think this will accomplish

BTW - had my first request to go though the ATI and declared my first opt out. Will post details on that thread.

I agree, it is expedient to be polite-ish, but many here might disagree. I usually just state that I have presented my ID, and all the information is there. I have also said, I don't wish to answer that question.

Here is a thread that I started on the same topic a while back. There is lots of good discussion there.

Welcome to FT, and TS/S, in particular!

" Actually, there are airlines which will not let you sit in exit row if English is the only language you know

Let me guess this was in the C checkpoint and it was a larger gentleman with glasses. This guy is the only one that ever asks and a few weeks ago did the same to me. I looked at him and asked, "why?" He asked again and I told him he didn't need to know this information and to quit making up rules that are not SOP. I told him I wasn't going to give him this info since it was on my boarding pass. He got visibly mad and let me pass.

Soon a "supervisor" came over b/c the guy called him over and asked proceeded to tell me that checkpoint "C" was required to ask this from everyone, (while the new TDC behind him was letting people go thru without asking.) I told him this wasn't SOP and this guy should not be making up his own security rules. The "supervisor" gave me some nonsense about SOP and doing things randomly.

I told him that with my ~100 flights this year, this one guy at this checkpoint was the only one to ask all over the country and again, should not make up his own rules. I told the "supervisor" thanks for the info and went thru.

Thanks for the info! Yes it was at a checkpoint in Terminal C but it was two females who were asking this question. Althought I do believe that the last time I was asked (4-6 weeks ago) it was an older gentleman.

Can I get a definitive answer on the following question:

Are we required to answer their questions?

Please understand that I am not trying to be an @****** but I do not agree with doing anything more than what is required. I FIRMLY believe in the creep theory and it is definitely applicable to the TSA.

Thanks...

Nobody is required to speak to a screening clerk to transit the checkpoint, even if you come across one of the Behavior Detection Clerks. ^

Definitive answer: You have absolutely no requirement to every speak to any TSA personnel. They can ask whatever they would like. You are under no requirement to respond to, to initiate, or to continue any conversation.

With that out of the way, of course it is nice for many people to be pleasant. I generally respond to a hello, or good morning. I generally thank someone if they HELP me. I do not thank them for letting me pass or returning my documents.

I think Ron White provides the best answer to this question in his stand up with an abusive parking lot attendant.

This particular part starts at about 7:30, but the part where he's asked the question starts at 9:00.

Probably not safe for work.