I noticed the agents are being more friendly lately. Asking questions and commenting.

I do not talk to them at all.

But how do I know if it is a REAL security question that I must answer?

Jim

You do not have to answer any question directed at you.

remember, less than 3% of TSA clerks tell the truth...

There's nothing you MUST answer, and TSA wouldn't know a "real" security question if it bit them.

I'm polite to them, without answering any of their questions.

~~ Irish

And the TSA, in response, does not have to let you pass the checkpoint, either. It's not like you're under arrest at the checkpoint. (Most of the time.)

I don't mean to be snarky about it. But TSA has been deliberately vague regarding what questions you must answer in order to pass the checkpoint and what questions you may decline to answer. Failure to answer a question has, at times, been interpreted by TSOs as "failure to cooperate with the screening process", which is sufficient cause to be denied permission to pass the checkpoint.

I wish, as with many things about TSA, that there was more clarity on this issue.

I wish there was more clarity about everything to do with the TSA.

But on this issue, I'm clear. I don't have to answer their questions, and I don't. I'm not confrontational about it and I stand my ground, politely - meaning, I usually provide a polite non-answer. If that means I don't fly that day, then I don't fly that day. Tant pis.

~~ Irish

Is there a reference for this? I've never seen anything on the TSA website that says anything whatsoever on the topic.

It depends on the question. You do not have to answer any question put to you by any TSA employee prior to the screening station; that includes the BDOs and the TDC. You probably will get the Super Secret Squiggle on your BP if you refuse the "chat" resulting in a random[sic] secondary screening. At the screening station you should answer questions arising from the contents of your person or bag.

I will answer "where are you going?" since this is a pathetic little attempt to elicit a mismatch with your BP . To "what is the purpose?" I'll respond "personal business", and if pressed "personal personal business". Anything else and I decline to answer (but see Squiggle, above) and if that upsets them I refer to 18 USC 1001 accusing them of trying to trap me.

It rarely (actually only once IME) comes to that. Once they figure out you're not willing to play, which can take a while, they usually move on to more compliant shee... people.

I am almost never stopped by traffic police. It happens about once every 5 years or so. When I was younger I was chatty. As I grew older, I realized this was unwise.

The last two times I was stopped I lay my registration, license and proof of insurance on the dash before the officer got to my window. I asked him why he stopped me. I didn't answer any questions. I gave him the documents he asked for and I took my ticket politely. (I probably did commit the "rolling stop" as he claimed). He asked a barrage of questions, none of them of the type I needed to answer.

It really is possible to evade questions politely by smiling vaguely and asking the questioner to repeat himself a few times. Acting dumb as a stump and deaf as a post is a legitimate strategy as far as I'm concerned. It's easier than getting in an overt power struggle with a goon.

I think that sharing as little information with the TSA screeners and forcing them to waste a lot of time digging for what little they get is a good idea. It should be possible to eventually discern what they really must be told before you can be shut of them.

Well, I think that's deliberate ... if TSA's website doesn't say anything on the topic, then they've achieved their goal of being vague about what is actually required.

A quick scan of the TSA website revealed the following:

Of course, "belligerent behavior" is incredibly vague. Refusing to engage in small-talk, or offering non-revealing answers to questions, could br (and has been) interpreted as "belligerent behavior".

So, we're back to the original point. You're under no obligation to say anything at a checkpoint; they're under no obligation to let you pass through the checkpoint. How that standoff gets resolved is ... well, your mileage may vary.

Without being there or knowing more, just based on this there is no doubt in my mind as to why you got a ticket

I think it's time someone was arrested and charged for it. I don't want to be the one, but I'm a fairly good candidate. I'm mild-mannered to a fault, fall well and have a high tolerance for pain! It may as well be me.

"I'm sorry. What was your question? What am I towing? Why nothing of course. Oh - 'going'? Why didn't you say so? You did? Oh my. Goodness, what a lovely coffee stain that is on your tie. It looks rather like a kitten. What were you saying? Do you think I can buy a Tylenol once I get past the checkpoint? Tylenol's safer than Aspirin I think. Do you? Oh my, there's a hole in my sock. People just don't darn socks anymore. I wonder why. It's more frugal, don't you think?"

Problem is unless your "belligerent behavior" involves actual assault, you won't be arrested. They'll make you miss your flight (that'll teach her !) and possibly impose an administrative fine of some sort. Might involve a LEO to participate in the game, do an NCIS check, give you a good talking to etc. etc.

Declining to answer impertinent questions might get you into the above sort of trouble, but simply demurring politely probably won't. Unless you encounter one of the real TSA *****/*.

On the two or three occasions where the questions have started, my response has been, "I don't discuss my travel."

I noticed that the TSA website doesn't say anything about what color of shirt I'm allowed to wear. Does that mean they've "achieved their goal of being vague about what is actually required"?