Why does TSA need to check your ID at gate before boarding?

[Anonymous]

While waiting to board a domestic flight to DC, the gate agent announced that boarding would follow a different process than usual. You needed to show your ID & boarding pass to a TSA agent at the gate before proceeding to the podium where they scan your boarding pass before letting you board.
Why would you need to do this if you’ve already been through security? Has anyone else experienced this while traveling?

[Anonymous]

Security theater.

[Anonymous]

Remember that the aggregate IQ of TSA agents is 38 so nothing they do is surprising. They are as despicable as ICE.

[Anonymous]

I have had to do additional gate screening before where a group of TSA officers went through everyone’s carryons and bags before boarding. It was a huge pain. It’s only happened once. Assume there was some sort of threat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Security theater.

Actually not. This ensures the people who get on the plane are actually the people supposed to be getting on the plane.

It's sometimes done as a secondary security screen.

[Anonymous]

Back in the day you could resell tickets.

After TWA800 with the ID requirements it all stopped so the government could show that they were doing something. It's all revenue protection and security theatre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While waiting to board a domestic flight to DC, the gate agent announced that boarding would follow a different process than usual. You needed to show your ID & boarding pass to a TSA agent at the gate before proceeding to the podium where they scan your boarding pass before letting you board.
Why would you need to do this if you’ve already been through security? Has anyone else experienced this while traveling?

To justify their jobs; security theater, as someone already said.

[Anonymous]

Remember that the aggregate IQ of TSA agents is 38 so nothing they do is surprising. They are as despicable as ICE.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm...never seen that before. Guess there was some sort of issue.

Back in the day (mid-90s), My mother-in-law and I went to the airport and checked into a flight. We both went to the gate and I got on the plane...with her ticket in her name.

I was going to KY to drive back with my now wife at the end of her internship. M-in-law was supposed to go, but had a conflict and we never change to the ticket to my name. So, I was Elaine for a day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm...never seen that before. Guess there was some sort of issue.

Back in the day (mid-90s), My mother-in-law and I went to the airport and checked into a flight. We both went to the gate and I got on the plane...with her ticket in her name.

I was going to KY to drive back with my now wife at the end of her internship. M-in-law was supposed to go, but had a conflict and we never change to the ticket to my name. So, I was Elaine for a day.

That’s funny.

[Anonymous]

Recently in Switzerland I went through three different passport control points in the Zurich airport to board a flight leaving the country, the last one being at the gate. I don't know why everyone's passport required inspection thrice, but the Swiss take security very seriously and do not engage in "security theatre". Not knowing why doesn't mean there isn't a good and sufficient reason. It's no skin off your nose in any case.

[Anonymous]

#ThanksBinLaden

[Anonymous]

Presumably if you have been screened properly there's no danger, so it shouldn't matter who you are.

[Anonymous]

Was there a VIP on your flight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Security theater.

Actually not. This ensures the people who get on the plane are actually the people supposed to be getting on the plane.

It's sometimes done as a secondary security screen.

+1 Especially with some the crazies who have been acting out on flights and disturbing fellow passengers with their antics.