Originally Posted by
Superguy
I think free in this case should be used loosely. You're free to refuse the answer, and the TSO will be "free" to deny entrance to the sterile area. Thus the way that TSA is making it out with the cash, they're practically conditioning entry into the sterile area upon waiving your 5th amendment rights if asked.
PTravel can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong and I won't take offense.
But where does this take us? What can a TSO possibly ask that results in entry denial?
I see typical dialog going as:
TSO: Are you leaving the country with those funds?
Pax: No
Now the TSO has to go further to the clearly impermissible area, ie where did you get the money? What is your "final" destination? Did you commit a crime to get that money? etc.
or:
TSO: Are you leaving the country with those funds?
Pax: Yes
TSO (puffs up): Well will you submit the appropriate IRS froms prior to leaving the country?
Pax: Yes
Again the TSO has to go further to the clearly impermissible area, ie where did you get the money? Did you commit a crime to get that money? etc.
It's very telling to me that these discussions, at least from TSA's perspective, always hinge on cash. The same regs apply to any instrument that moves funds across the country's borders, and I'm sure Goalie knows many obscure instruments that can achieve this, but you never hear the TSO's salivating over a bearer bond or a cashier's check as they do over cash. IMHO, the TSA fascination with the flash of cash either comes from a wrong-headed presumption of guilt or an attractivenss for the sticky-fingered amongst the ranks.