First of all, this occurred in the United States. Secondly, no one asks
those questions in the United States. The passenger did not lie to security
screeners. You may climb down off your high horse now.

Better double check on that. I have been asked exactly that question by the
ticket agent at check in every time I have flown for the last several years.
Even before 9/11. This has been standard procedure in the US for a long time.