The advice given by those who actually experience gropes is certainly more credible than the advice rendered by those spouting from the mysterious playbook called SSI.

To the OP, I wish I could tell you no, TSA is not allowed to touch or grab, but that's not the reality. Spend some time reading FT and you will see first hand accounts of touching, groping, molesting and other indignities forced upon citizens of this country all in the name of keeping us safe. I want to be kept safe from TSA, I'll take my chances with the terrorists.