Originally Posted by
oneofthosepeopleyouloveto hate
It sounds like the TSO in question was slavishly following the SOP on this one -- which, as we all know, leaves a lot to be desired.
The SOP states that we are not supposed to order a passenger to remove a medical or assistive device, nor are we supposed to accept their offer to voluntarily remove said device. Obviously, this policy was devised by a liability-conscious person who did not want the bad press/lawsuits resulting from people falling, etc.
However, if played out strictly to the letter, it creates a weird sort of "don't ask, don't tell" scenario in which we're not required to STOP a passenger who is removing their brace (etc.), but if they ASK us if they can/should remove it, our proper response should be to decline, and send them for additional screening instead.
Which results in the sort of hassle you endured. Sorry about that!
Of course, this also conflicts with the recent changes that permit an unlimited number of times through the WTMD. Under that policy, since the OP knew that the brace would set off the WTMD, the OP should have been afforded an opportunity to attempt to rectify the conflict and pass through again. In this case, that would have resulted in a successful pass through the WTMD and no asinine/abusive/invasive body rub.