Originally Posted by
bonoman
I'd would have elected a real LEO searching my bag with common sense knowing I wasn't going into the sterile area anyway.
That point aside, the option was never given to me, and more importantly, it was deliberately hidden from me by TSA. It is time to TSA to stop this false shroud of security.
You need to read the sop again. Why do you think the LEO would conduct the search? I've never seen it happen. What I have seen happen is the LEO threatens the pax for arrest and then instructs the TSO to finish the search. This is most likely what would have happened in your case.
Not that the TSA employees treated you fairly or properly.