Originally Posted by
SATTSO
Yes, TSA has the legal authority to fine people. This is well discussed and well known. They can fine people for various reasons. The regulatory part of TSA does so. As to what happened in this case, we simply do not know.
TSA, like most Federal agencies, can propose administrative sanctions such as fines. But, the pax need not agree to the proposal and has a right to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge and can then litigate in the Federal courts from there.
The sole purpose of the fine proposal is to let the target pax know what is being sought. It is the equivalent of saying, "we think that you violated the law and propose to settle the matter for $X."
If the target pax disputes the charges, all bets are off. If the pax prevails = $0. If the pax loses, fines can be a lot more.