Originally Posted by
saulblum
Then the scary thing is, that if the LEO does take orders from the TSOs, then the the TSA's procedures are completely unaccountable to any standards of legality or constitutionality. The TSO could make up any criteria for satisfying the screening process, and if a passenger does not comply, he is charged with interfering with the process. It seems that no one in Congress is willing to take on the TSA, and therefore the only way to make any headway would be to get arrested and hope for a sympathetic jury, not one composed of the "anything for security" types.
Exactly. This is why it is particularly scary that Pistole wants to arm some TSOs and designate them LEOs (TEOs)? I think it is an attempt to take the matter completely out of the hands of civil authorities.
An armed 'TEO' force at the airport leaves TSA completely out-of-control. At least now, at some airports, the LEOs can provide a voice of reason and can de-escalate a situation (something completely lacking from TSA training). If Pistole has his way, TSA
will be able to arrest and detain pax without the help of an LEO - and probably without being bound by the same restrictions that apply to LEOs (search, seizure of belongings, reading of rights, constitutional protections, etc.)