Cartoon Peril

Just like with TSA running their fingers through hair, this is considered intrusive in an ordinary setting. It's only polite to ask someone's name if there's a reason to ask. That's why we say things like:

if we're a little unsure if we're being forward or not.

But of course TSA just doesn't give a rip about manners or custom, they figure if they can grope kids, they can do anything. And on that, I suppose they might be right.

DukieDrew

At the small C/P between the Elite and regular UA checkin (Gates 72ish?) today, the ID checker agent was reading everyone's last name, versus asking us to say it ourselves.

Other than that, a very pleasant security experience today at SFO.

FriendlySkies

Were they saying it out loud? Don't see the purpose behind that one, but

DukieDrew

Yes, aloud. She would take the id and boarding pass, look at both, say your name like asking a question, wait for you to nod or affirm or something, then do the flashlight thing, then scribble over board pass and finally return both. She did this identical process for each pax.

PTravel

That's better than making the passenger say it. It still sounds like punishment meted out by TSA because the SFO TDCs weren't checking ID against boarding passes.

FliesWay2Much

Makes me wonder if they are reading this thread?

bdschobel

Today, I'm flying SYD-SFO-JFK. Upon arrival at SFO, about an hour ago, I had to pass through the crack security of "Team SFO." And I had the marvelous and amusing experience, for the first time, of being asked to say my last name:

Team SFO: Say your last name.
Me: It's right there on the boarding pass and passport.
Team SFO: Yes, but we need you to say it.
Me: Why? You can see it for yourself.
Team SFO: Well, the company requires us to ask passengers to say their names.
Me: OK, Smith.
Team SFO: It doesn't say that here.
Me: Sure, it does. That's how I pronounce my name.
Team SFO: Really?
Me: Yes, it's a foreign name. The letters sound different in my language.
Team SFO: OK.

We smiled at each other, knowingly.

After I passed beyond the checkpoint, I found an older Team SFO supervisor and asked him why they make us go through that nonsense. He agreed that it's nonsense and said that he wished they didn't have to do it. We had a very pleasant conversation, after which I went to the RCC.

Bruce

FliesWay2Much

Well done, sir! ^^^^^ I'm impressed you had the wits about you to do this after flying all day & night from Sydney.

It would be immensely cool if a thousand people said their name was "Smith" all in one day...

Silver Fox

We need a plan B for if your name is Smith.

sbbutler93

Not just International Terminal, mom and brother said they got asked for it for T1 as well.

TheRoadie

Everybody's PHARMACY has better clerk confidentiality than the TDC position. My doctor's office just went to a "first name only" waiting room call system.

StanSimmons

Jinglehimerschmidt?

Boggie Dog

Smith = Jones

goalie

Smythe

flyermatthew

I was asked for my last name when I went through the UA non-elite checkpoint on Saturday. I said, "it's printed on both my ID and boarding pass" and the TDC let me through. At least the UA checkpoints are grope-free.