Scubatooth

The Dr. Pepper nose cleansing was my reaction to your post. I would love to film you doing that; I bet it would have a million hits the first day its uploaded. I'll just have to put a rain cover on the camera as the smurfs head is likely to explode.

senseker

I think the only over reaction you would get would be from one of the older screeners. They have a lot less patience then us young ones

I had a guy today. Asked his last name, which was Fuji, and he just goes "ya, know, like the apple?" I said "And like the mountain lol". Signed his BP, and was on his merry way. I mean, if you're gonna be a snarky ... about not saying your last name, it would really depend on the screener on what they want to do. Most of my friends would probably roll their eyes, sign the BP, and let you go. I mean, the cameras only see us engage in conversation. They don't know what we're saying or anything. The only time I'd make it an issue is if I was being audited.

Btw, yes, we DO realize this asking of your last name thing is stupid, but that doesn't mean we just can't NOT do it. This .... is from management, not us.

RadioGirl

I appreciate your honesty in admitting that.

But I'd like to know how far you're willing to go with "stupid" requirements from management? If, next week, you were told to ask each passenger how many children they had (not necessarily traveling with them), would you do that? What if you were told you had to count how many buttons each passenger had on their shirt? What if you had to ask what color underwear they were wearing or the last time they had sex? Or like the incident reported from Cleveland - if you had to ask each passenger how much money they were carrying? (Yes, I realize they weren't asking everyone, but hey, why not?)

All of those questions are as pointless - and have as little to do with aviation safety - as asking someone their name when you're holding their BP. At what point would you and your colleagues refuse to do something this stupid?

ND Sol

Is is only protocol that the TSO has to ask or is it also protocol that the pax has to answer?

Boggie Dog

Seems they are already willing to feel up little kids, women and men. I don't think there is any point of refusal.

n4zhg

If you don't have the stones to stand up to management acting stupid, then I have no sympathy for you or any other TSO. You deserve the crap you're getting from passengers.

Mimi111

Looking at this from a privacy perspective, you are now required to disclose personally identifiable information to everyone standing within earshot of the conversation. So the creepy guy standing behind me at the CP now knows my full name and date of birth. Setting aside for the moment the silly waste of time this is, is this not putting people at risk of identity theft from other people in the area (not just those who actually handle your information)? Additionally, some random person who heard said conversation could be on your plane and can now address you by name, have your age and date of birth. This is just bizarre.

ajnz

At SFO international G today, again asked the last name today, but politely and that was it. Had to opt-out of the nude-o-scope as the far-right lane was closed after the SQ crew went through it. Of course I only had to opt-out because there was an agent blocking the WTMD. Relatively polite and friendly screener did my opt-out process and away I went.

I did overhear another pax behind me in the screening queue telling someone that she always opted-out and convincing a few more pax to opt-out ^; but she then had to wait for a fairly lengthy period of time to get her female screener for the opt-out.

Edit: They were also asking why people were opting out, and noting it down in a log. The guy said he didn't care why and "any reason would do".

AngryMiller

I tell them that I opt out because Janet won't go through one. A typical reaction is "Janet who?" Seems her not willing to go through one has caused more problems for her agency than they care to discusss.

FWIW at MSP last Wed afternoon I saw a TSO let a passenger back into the concourse from an exit to baggage claim (by claim #14).

Had a TSO at MSP take things from my laptop bag out of sight. Briefly talked to him and said it violated SOP. He said he was in a hurry. Talked to a TSA suit type and relayed the incident. He said he would deal with it. Asked him where my $20 gold coin was at. Should have seen the color drain from his face. Told him I was yanking his chain and the SOP exists for both TSA and the passengers. Suspect a TSO got chewed out for that one.

Tom M.

Interesting. Asking the question is useless if you are not going to require a question.

Are there other management directions that TSO's routinely ignore?

PhoenixRev

Yes.

Pistole said flat out on the TSA website the NEXUS card was accepted ID.

AngryMiller

Most, if not all of their SOP?

goalie

And I also appreciate the honesty ^ but has anyone from the ranks actually brought up the issue as to why it is being done and also how stoopit it truly is? And if yes, if you're able to share the answer, inquiring minds would like to know

bajajoes

This tsa name asking is sooo ripe for the Abbot & Costelo routine..........
"Who's On First".

TSA:"What's your name"?
PAX: "What"!
TSA:"What's your name"?
PAX:"I already told you".
And on and on and on.

flapping arms

Thank you very much, senseker, for your front-line info.

It seems to me that the best thing for all concerned is for passengers to say something like: "I acknowledge for the cameras that you have carried out management's directive." And we do so politely. Senseker, what is your opinion of this idea?

The flip side is, any TSC who claims that a passenger is required to state our name, we immediately demand a STSC and file a complaint for abuse of authority, false requirement, and official misconduct.