SFO International Terminal - asking you to confirm your last name
Mar 16, 2011, 1:06 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,606
I posted this a year or two ago, but for the amusement of our newer members here's a quick video.
Mar 16, 2011, 8:51 am
#47
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Gold
Posts: 1,676
Are you allowed to tell us how you are instructed to react to non-compliers? Or is that SSI? As has been pointed out, there are valid reasons a passenger can't comply to a verbal question in English only.
If you're not prepared with a card with the question in all possible languages, and translators available instantly for those who can't read the card, and other ways to communicate with passengers who don't speak, then it's a BS step that a bad guy can easily bypass.
So why would management even think up such silly theatre?
Oh, yeah - I forgot. It's just a play.
If you're not prepared with a card with the question in all possible languages, and translators available instantly for those who can't read the card, and other ways to communicate with passengers who don't speak, then it's a BS step that a bad guy can easily bypass.
So why would management even think up such silly theatre?
Oh, yeah - I forgot. It's just a play.
Mar 16, 2011, 8:56 am
#48
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: Delta,United,Continental,US Airways,Southwest,Marriott,all car companies
Posts: 120
I was under the impression that if we supplied the proper docs, we get to go through. They are not CBP so, correct me if I'm wrong, asking you to pronounce anything is stepping beyond their authority... again. If your "papers are in order" you shouldn't have to have a chat at all, if you don't wish to.
Mar 16, 2011, 9:55 am
#49
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 158
i think i'll just write my name in the palm of my hand and see what the reaction will be when i look at it before answering the queation, or just hold it up for them to see when asked. the other hand i'll write where i am going, my birthday, or whatever else i might "need to know".
Mar 16, 2011, 11:30 am
#50
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Southwest Florida
Programs: AA lifetime Gold , DL Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 572
I think I would use the European way of pronouncing my last name, which does not sound in any way like it reads. My father Americanized it to avoid this exact problem when he came over to the US. My relatives in Europe still pronounce it the old way.
That should lead to an interesting discussion with the TDC smurfs.
Mr. Elliott
That should lead to an interesting discussion with the TDC smurfs.
Mr. Elliott
Mar 16, 2011, 12:36 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,114
I was under the impression that if we supplied the proper docs, we get to go through. They are not CBP so, correct me if I'm wrong, asking you to pronounce anything is stepping beyond their authority... again. If your "papers are in order" you shouldn't have to have a chat at all, if you don't wish to.
Here is one response I have received.
Although it is not required we encourage our Officers to ask each passenger their name to provide the opportunity to engage in a friendly brief conversation, such as “Hi Mr. Xxxxxxxx and how are you today?” It is intended to be a polite customer service dialog. The Officer could say the name from the identification but hearing it helps pronunciation.
Thank you,
Robert E. Gentry
Asst Federal Security Director
Transportation Security Administration
Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport
469-948-1848
Thank you,
Robert E. Gentry
Asst Federal Security Director
Transportation Security Administration
Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport
469-948-1848
Mar 17, 2011, 12:02 am
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
"May I have your name?"
"No."
Nothing else need be said. If the TDC plays DY...T, ask for the GSC and the FSD. As I understand current regulations, I am required to show government-issued photo ID that matches the name on my boarding pass. I have no intention in playing along with these incredibly stupid BDO games, and I know of no legal basis for compelling me to answer any questions.
"No."
Nothing else need be said. If the TDC plays DY...T, ask for the GSC and the FSD. As I understand current regulations, I am required to show government-issued photo ID that matches the name on my boarding pass. I have no intention in playing along with these incredibly stupid BDO games, and I know of no legal basis for compelling me to answer any questions.
Mar 17, 2011, 12:32 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I got this yesterday at SFO. Between my passport, BP and *G card (which was inside the passport) there were 3 things in front of her and when the question was posed my straight faced answer was, 'You have it there on 3 things, can't you read?'
The drone was not pleased at all.
I then verbalized how assinine this policy is. I don't think she disagreed.
The drone was not pleased at all.
I then verbalized how assinine this policy is. I don't think she disagreed.
Mar 17, 2011, 12:35 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I'm having a similar discussion with DFW TSA over this exact issue although the TSA screener went ballistic when I asked if I was required to answer his question asking my name. Based on my reading of the response below it seems to me that TSA is actually doing some profiling.
Here is one response I have received.
Here is one response I have received.
Although it is not required we encourage our Officers to ask each passenger their name to provide the opportunity to engage in a friendly brief conversation, such as “Hi Mr. Xxxxxxxx and how are you today?” It is intended to be a polite customer service dialog. The Officer could say the name from the identification but hearing it helps pronunciation.
Mar 17, 2011, 3:57 am
#55
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
I view the security check point as a necessary impediment to my getting on an airplane. I do not like it, but there is nothing I can do about it, so my goal is to minimize the aggravation. There are three hurdles to jump.
When I am asked to perform functions outside of what is necessary to clear the three areas above, or if I am interrogated or asked questions outside the scope of those three items, I immediately am put on the defensive and the encounter becomes hostile, whether intended or not. Do your job, do it efficiently, and I'll leave the small talk to the bar in the waiting area.
- I must have a valid boarding pass that matches a valid ID that must be approved by the TDC.
- I must enter the screening area with possessions that are within the guidelines of what is acceptable to carry on board an aircraft. I know every single item that is in my two carry on bags and I have personally made certain that each is approved and acceptable. They must pass able to pass both x-ray and ETD screening.
- The items carried on my person through the screening must be acceptable or reasonably explainable as acceptable. They must be able to pass scrutiny of one or more tests including, WBI, WTMD and/or a physical pat down.
When I am asked to perform functions outside of what is necessary to clear the three areas above, or if I am interrogated or asked questions outside the scope of those three items, I immediately am put on the defensive and the encounter becomes hostile, whether intended or not. Do your job, do it efficiently, and I'll leave the small talk to the bar in the waiting area.
Mar 17, 2011, 4:57 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,114
In my case the TDC asked my name. I asked if I was required to answer seeing as how he had my photo id and boarding pass with my name on it. The TDC was not pleased. The response I posted earlier was an email from the DFW AFSD. He is dancing around what happened.
Mar 18, 2011, 1:32 am
#58
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
Team SFO was on a power trip tonight at T3, at the UA checkpoint to the right of the UA counters.
We were told to stay behind the mat until called up, asked to confirm our first name, and then asked to pronounce our last name.
We were told to stay behind the mat until called up, asked to confirm our first name, and then asked to pronounce our last name.
Mar 18, 2011, 1:36 am
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,606
Did you comply, or refuse? I'd be curious to see what would happen if somebody said "No".
Mar 18, 2011, 1:38 am
#60
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881