Use of first name
 

I know there is a post on another area about this, but thought I would throw it out.

With TSA and some other organizations wearing little name tags on there shirts, do you feel you have the right to address that person by there first name?

Just a little background. I was never personally told about the tag until I got it with my uniform. Its now a part of the uniform and Im required to wear it. Personally, I would prefer not to, but would be willing to give my first name if there was an incident involving me.

Reason I bring this up, was it was a topic of conversation amongest a few of us screeners today.

It's weird to have a passenger address us by are first name or any name at all. Are airport doesnt check tickets, other then the ticket checker down stairs who isnt TSA. So I don't understand why some passengers feel the urge to do so.

Just thought I would ask, if you folks feel this a apporate thing to do.

I personally feel uncomfortable being addressed by my first name, as I dont have any way to address you back other then Mr/sir/Ma'am.

I don't see why not. The TSA should not be viewed as a position of authority, so it would be wrong to call you "officer Dan".



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"If life doesn't offer a game worth playing, then invent a new one."
-Anthony J. D'Angelo

Im not wanting to be called officer anything.

I like the idea of ma'am/sir really.

Just feels weird to have someone know your first name and you not know theirs.

My problem isnt that i think I should be viewed in a place of authority but I don't think I should be addressed by my first name without knowing your first name.

We get tags with our first names up here, too, but I don't wear mine. I have it in my pocket incase a supervisor gets on me about it, then I take it off again. I resent being called by my first name.

I agree that first names shouldn't be used among strangers. The problem is the nametag. TSA should provide something with a first initial and a last name.

Similarly, a number of the screeners look at my ID and ticket, and then hand it back and say something like "thanks George" and I also find that inappropriate. Should be thanks sir, or thanks Mr Pioneer.

I'd prefer if we just had an ID number tag. I'd prefer not to have my name on my tag the same way it's listed in the phone book (my initial and last name).

Yes, you're right, that's unprofessional.

I dunno. If the screeners can see my Boarding Pass & ID, the least I can do is see their full name...

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"If life doesn't offer a game worth playing, then invent a new one."
-Anthony J. D'Angelo

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Nice attitude, however wrong. They ARE the authority as regulatory enforcement personnel (ATSA Public Law 107-71 section 110a). Dislike of screening, or the people doing the screening, does not detract from the fact it is the law and must occur prior to you getting on that aircraft.

Sorry, but I am not sheeple.

I look at the uniform much like a uniform at McDonald's. I pay a tax for the TSA service, but am not required to relinquish any rights to the uniform.

When I go to McDonald's, I see the uniform, and the service it provides. I go to the airport, I see the uniform, and the associated security service that may or may not be provided. The difference is that I can choose to avoid McDonald's, but I can't avoid the TSA if I want to go through to the gate at the airport.

Would you like frys with that?

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"If life doesn't offer a game worth playing, then invent a new one."
-Anthony J. D'Angelo

I agree with you UAL

But that wasnt the point of my post. If I see your boarding pass but still say "Have a nice flight, Ma'am/Sir", does that allow you to call me by my first name just because I know yours?

If I call you by your first name, then yes, call me by mine.

Thanks. I agree with your point about the first name as well.

You are the one who is WRONG.

The local Board of Health Inspectors are a "Regulatory Enforcemtn Personnel. They are NOT addressed as "Officer".

If they are not comfortable with their last names (BS), then the Employee number should be REQUIRED.

I think this first name stuff is just another tactic to defuse crises and to reinforce the attitude that the TSA is doing the American people a big service. If we're all on a first-name basis, who could not like each other? I'd be willing to bet that somewhere along the line, some PR consultant convinced the TSA that this would give the public a friendlier attitude and, therefore, they will forget all the intrusiveness going on and will gladly surrender their pointy objects and their rights. It's just as contrived as the fake "Have a nice flight, sir." and the fake smiles.

This is right up there with, "Hi! I'm Joe; I'll be your waiter tonight." But, being government employees, we have a right to know their identities if necessary. Scrap the first names and all the fake syrupy stuff that goes along with it.

I don't think we should be addressed as officer but I do think we should be looked at as an authority figure just as if were a police officer. Even though UAL may say he doesn't respect anyone he pays for. He would be in the wrong. Actually your correct response, UAL, should have been..."I think the TSA is a joke therefore I don't think of them as an authority figure". You pay for alot of things with taxes, you pay for fire departments, police, cia, fbi, nsa, dea, epa, you name it...if it's a government agency your taxes help fund it. But I'm willing to bet you don't tell a cop he isn't an authority figure. Whether you want to admit or not...we the TSA are an authority figure....If we can prevent you from getting on a plane I'd say that is some authority. And I'd like to see you take a TSA agent to court or even sue the TSA because you weren't allowed to board a plane. Just my 2 cents.

First, thanks for putting words in my mouth.

I respect a lot of individuals who work for the TSA, but I DO NOT respect the TSA as an agency because I DON'T believe their policies and procedures are in the best interests of America.

Secondly, I do not view the TSA as a position of authority, because the TSA personnel do not take law enforcement classes, do not go through the same type of rigorous background checks and training. And they are not empowered to arrest citizens who have done nothing wrong, or do search and seizures.

And I'm not sure that I want the TSA to be in that position either.

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"If life doesn't offer a game worth playing, then invent a new one."
-Anthony J. D'Angelo


[This message has been edited by UALOneKPlus (edited 10-13-2003).]