Maybe at your airport. At BWI, that can hardly be said. BWI TSA does not tell passengers that they have the option of stepping out of line, they demand that the item in question be given to them or just take it and throw it in the trash can. I have had it happen to me on more than one occasion, although not with LGA.

I have had tools, purposely purchased, at not insignificant personal expense, that were distinctly within the limits stated on the TSA website that were removed from my bag and thrown in a trash can at the checkpoint before I was even through the WTMD (a pair of non-serrated electrician's snips [less than 4" blade length wire scissors] and a modular cable crimper). When I requested information concerning the actions of the TSO, in both instances, the TSO and the supervisor took confrontational stances (hands on hips, stern looks, chest puffing), advised me that my mere attempt to bring the items through the checkpoint constituted consent to "voluntarily surrender" without further notification and threatened me with the now standard "do you want to fly today" and "we can have you arrested for bringing a dangerous item to the airport." Of course, requesting a BWI Airport LEO did nothing to help the situation, as I was told to leave or be arrested for "disturbing the peace."

So, TSA can spout "voluntarily surrendered" until the cows come home. Many of us will continue to see it as theft under color of authority.