Question re: Name Game
May 2, 2012 | 2:22 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,684
I have decided that I would be much more likely to give my name if they had a video of Alyson Hannigan screaming, "What's my name?! Say my name, b*tch!"
Mike
Mike
May 3, 2012 | 3:07 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IAH mostly.
Programs: I still call it Onepass every now and then. Platinum.
Posts: 500
I searched, I really did, but I couldn't find the answer. Since the name game now seems to have made it to JFK, my question is (and again, I'm sure it's been answered many times): What are the consequences if I refuse to say my name out loud and say "It's right there on my boarding pass and my ID"?
May 3, 2012 | 3:12 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IAH mostly.
Programs: I still call it Onepass every now and then. Platinum.
Posts: 500
After much introspection and consideration, I have determined that the asking of my name is a trivial matter as much as I hate answering. It is trivial as they already have my name and a verbal confirmation is worthless to them and requires little effort on my part. Likewise is the question about where I am going as long as the destination airport on my boarding pass is a sufficient answer. Once again they already have this information and attempting to withhold it in a verbal manner is insignificant.
It is my opinion only and you are welcome to yours.
However the game changes when they ask me where I will be working, where I am staying, what I will be doing and any number of other questions. These questions are not trivial. I will ask for a supervisor and ask one question, well rehearsed: "What properly codified regulation or public law requires that I submit to a personal interrogation of a confidential nature to board an aircraft for domestic travel?"
I may miss my flight. I may not be allowed into the sterile area. However, there are some battles that must be fought. This is one hill that I will try to take.
Fortunately, none of the airports I use have made me test this, but I am firm in my resolve that I will not submit to this type of interrogation just to get on a plane.
BTW, it has been a long time since we heard of one of these, except from BDO's, here on FT. Did the PIPI's end?
It is my opinion only and you are welcome to yours.
However the game changes when they ask me where I will be working, where I am staying, what I will be doing and any number of other questions. These questions are not trivial. I will ask for a supervisor and ask one question, well rehearsed: "What properly codified regulation or public law requires that I submit to a personal interrogation of a confidential nature to board an aircraft for domestic travel?"
I may miss my flight. I may not be allowed into the sterile area. However, there are some battles that must be fought. This is one hill that I will try to take.
Fortunately, none of the airports I use have made me test this, but I am firm in my resolve that I will not submit to this type of interrogation just to get on a plane.
BTW, it has been a long time since we heard of one of these, except from BDO's, here on FT. Did the PIPI's end?
"Where are you going? Home."
"What's the purpose of your trip? Going home."
"Where's home? Here."
Quite often I even give contradictory answers and they don't even seem to notice or care.
May 3, 2012 | 9:45 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 5,017
I posted my response to the name game in another thread but I have used multiple responses:
When I do not want a hassle: I drop the consonant after each vowel in my name and say that.
Traveling with spouse - Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary
Or my favorite - tell the TDC that saying your name in public makes you uncomfortable but you will be happy to whisper it in their ear. That got me a chat with three-stripper who could give a damn about my name.
When I do not want a hassle: I drop the consonant after each vowel in my name and say that.
Traveling with spouse - Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary
Or my favorite - tell the TDC that saying your name in public makes you uncomfortable but you will be happy to whisper it in their ear. That got me a chat with three-stripper who could give a damn about my name.
May 21, 2012 | 7:29 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Diamond (MM), Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 873
I've got to deal with this malarkey leaving JFK on Friday. I'm thinking I'm just going to state my initials and tell them the rest of the letters are all silent letters.
May 22, 2012 | 2:30 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: Ham Sandwich Medallion
Posts: 889
Ever since hearing about the name game, I've always wanted to travel in a semi-large group and answer, "I'm Spartacus," then have my traveling companions chime in one by one.
Alternatively, in a stunt less likely to get you escorted out of the airport and banned from your airline of choice, you could have your entire group go through one by one, each answering that they're Spartacus. Hilarity would ensue, I'm sure, as the TDC freaks out about the terrorist group calling themselves "Spartacus".
Alternatively, in a stunt less likely to get you escorted out of the airport and banned from your airline of choice, you could have your entire group go through one by one, each answering that they're Spartacus. Hilarity would ensue, I'm sure, as the TDC freaks out about the terrorist group calling themselves "Spartacus".