Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,103
This whole report disgusts me from the selective reporting by the media, to the LEO and TSA behaviour.
There is nothing inherently illegal about videotaping a security line at an airport. As noted elsewhere, TSA has admitted there are no federal regs that apply and I'm not aware of any Colorado state laws that would apply. In general public property (which includes the airport) is fair game for video with the exception of national security areas (not applicable here).
According to the report the individuals were "arrested on suspicion of interfering with a transportation facility." That's a pretty broad charge but still requires proof that they were somehow disrupting the line. So if the line was moving and they were simply filming the area I would think the LEOs and TSA overstepped their authority.
Not having identification is not a crime either.
Note they were not charged with trying to improperly access the secure area (and note that it is not illegal to attempt to access the area without ID, though you may or may not be successful depending on the whims of the TSA).
Sure - it looks like they were trying to set up the TSA and LEOs. So what? If they were smarter they wouldn't take the bait. Now they may face a nice Section 1983 lawsuit if they can't come up with a valid reason for the arrest (and I don't see one from the media reports though clearly we are missing some info).