Originally Posted by
TheGolfWidow
There are a number of reasons, and this is one of them, that traveling companions might not want to appear to be transiting the checkpoint together. Where possible, put one/some of the children with one adult, and after one or two others join the line (or after stopping to pass time adjusting one's shoelaces...) the rest of the party steps into the line behind them. Don't all step up to the podium together; don't create a party to retaliate against.
What you suggest was exactly the kind of thing that was necessary for Bosniak families to attempt to do in order to try to avoid the ugly arms of the state power and its agents that were eager to use communal punishment tactics to further their control of the civilian population viewed as suspect by the state power, its agents, its parallel cheerleader organizations and state-favored individuals. That such an approach by innocent Americans is increasingly necessary to deal with the TSA is not only well-advised it is also disappointingly clear that the TSA has put America on the wrong track (or is at least taking advantage of the country being on the wrong track) when it comes to "security" matters such that this is well-advised.