SFO International Terminal - asking you to confirm your last name

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Mar 19, 2011, 9:44 am

#76

PTravel

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Mar 2004

Location: Newport Beach, California, USA

Posts: 36,062

Quote:

Originally Posted by Often1

If we are to move from processing everybody the same way and focus on those who deserve scrutiny, one way is to ask a few simple questions.

If the TSA ever shifts its focus from bad stuff to bad people, I would cooperate. Right now, it's just one more offense against liberty.

Mar 19, 2011, 9:46 am

#77

bajajoes

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Monterey Bay Area

Programs: Independent Libertarian

Posts: 326

Vow Of Silence

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlflyer2

At SFO, Terminal 1 on Mar 16. Team Sfo Gestapo was on duty. Elite line had a rather officious document checker really going over all docs with the blue light.

My turn came, I presented a CO issued boarding card and US Passport Card(trouble maker) and there was an attempt at chit chat which I ignored.

The checker asks my name to which I reply that it is printed on the documents which he has in his hand. The request is repeated, but declined. A supervisor is called and a rather annoyed and distressed officer shows up. After hearing why he has been summoned, the supervisor asks for my name and I advise that it is still on the documents in his possession.

Now totally exasperated, the supervisor states that I will pronounce my name or be escorted to the door and will not fly. While I should have challenged the demand, my flight was leaving in 45 minutes and it would have presented difficulty in getting access through another entry.

Team Sfo is a contractor, but they should not be relieved of the obligation to respect civil rights. But perhaps, because Team Sfo are not federal employees, and not subject to the minimal guidelines that "regular" TSA have to follow as federal employess in respect to civil rights, it could be a way to test "new approaches" with fewer federal protections for passengers.

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After reading your post I thought of an aquantance who has given up (speech) talking for Lent.
I wonder if it would be acceptable for someone to have a card printed out regarding that and then their name phonetically spelled out on the card for tsa. Any thoughts on that? How are mute people handled?

Mar 19, 2011, 10:11 am

#78

n4zhg

Suspended

Join Date: Jul 2008

Posts: 2,726

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlflyer2

Now totally exasperated, the supervisor states that I will pronounce my name or be escorted to the door and will not fly.

"Go right ahead. I hope you enjoy living in a cardboard box. Why? Because after I'm through with you and your employer, that's all you'll ever own for the rest of your life."

Mar 19, 2011, 10:13 am

#79

nachtnebel

Join Date: Dec 2010

Posts: 2,425

Quote:

Originally Posted by Often1

Expect more of this. It's one way to eliminate the most blatant uses of fake ID's. The TSO is holding the ID you handed him and you can't see it. If you hesitate in answering? If we are to move from processing everybody the same way and focus on those who deserve scrutiny, one way is to ask a few simple questions. Presumably, if you handed over your true ID, you will be able to answer the question without hesitation or nervousness. Doesn't make every nervous person a bad guy, just one more factor to consider.

If these clowns didn't also demand to see us naked, put their hands on our crotches and butts, feel our wife's breasts and hair, this asking of ID wouldn't appear so objectionable. But since the TSA insists on those other abuses, it magnifies the impact of everything else they do, which might otherwise pass without much comment.

Mar 19, 2011, 12:46 pm

#80

camerawork

Join Date: Dec 2006

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Posts: 120

"Asking a few questions" can quickly move into a quick interrogation and I was under the foolish impression that only CPB or other FLEO's had this ability. Given the limited training (on the broad spectrum of intel/security training) of TSA employees or subcontractors, how can they begin to be given this type of authority. If the TDC is given a boarding pass and a DHS approved, "government approved ID", why should any flyer need to recite their name or answer any questions? And, pray tell, who is going to remove you from the airport?

Mar 19, 2011, 1:50 pm

#81

Maxwell Smart

Join Date: Dec 2004

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Often1

Expect more of this. It's one way to eliminate the most blatant uses of fake ID's.

And a fake ID is a threat to security exactly how?

Isn't the passenger still going to be screened?

Mar 19, 2011, 9:12 pm

#82

exbayern

Join Date: Sep 2006

Posts: 6,967

The vast majority of English speaking Americans fail to pronounce either my first or my last name correctly. What purpose does it serve for me to pronounce my name correctly when they don't know how it should in fact be pronounced?

Mar 20, 2011, 4:35 am

#83

RadioGirl

Join Date: Jul 2007

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FaustsAccountant

I'm totally going to re-practice my American Sign Language!

Is it possible to have intermittent attacks of Tourette Syndrome? It's strange, mine only starts when I'm asked stupid questions by people in blue shirts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Often1

Expect more of this. It's one way to eliminate the most blatant uses of fake ID's.

C'mon, tell us the truth; wasn't this the January winner of TSA's "Dumb Idea of the Month" competition? I mean, it's obvious that such a competition exists; it's just hard to sort out the winners from the background noise of "deliberate inconsistency."

Quote:

Originally Posted by exbayern

There's a fairly good chance that they'll correct your pronunciation ofyour own name. And then insist that you're doing it wrong.

Mar 20, 2011, 9:08 am

#84

RockyMtnScotsman

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: COS

Programs: DL Gold, HH Gold, MR Gold

Posts: 162

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajajoes

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After reading your post I thought of an aquantance who has given up (speech) talking for Lent.

or, for that matter, laryngitis to which I'm prone from time to time

Mar 20, 2011, 11:21 am

#85

bajajoes

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Monterey Bay Area

Programs: Independent Libertarian

Posts: 326

Mute??

Any tso's(or others) know how mute people are handled at a checkpoint when they are traveling alone?

Mar 20, 2011, 11:44 am

#86

nachtnebel

Join Date: Dec 2010

Posts: 2,425

Quote:

Originally Posted by exbayern

Or even English last names like Worcester. And what happens if your passport is based on Cyrillic and transliterated? lotsa luck.

Mar 20, 2011, 12:18 pm

#87

Flaflyer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxwell Smart

And a fake ID is a threat to security exactly how?
Isn't the passenger still going to be screened?

A properly screened old man with no WEI and no ID is sitting next to me on a DL CRJ-200 departing ATL. It turns out his name is Osama Bin Ladin. Is he

A. A threat to civil aviation
or
B. Just another miserable passenger on a jungle jet toy excuse for an airliner who is actually more miserable than all the other pax cuz he is siz inches taller than me and is jammed in the window seat?