Originally Posted by
goalie
While I don't like the gate searches, once you have passed muster, you are "free to go" and cannot be told that you must be kept segregated as that is a detention and TSO's have no power to detain and only a LEO can detain and TSO's are not LEO's.
I think this begs another question - IF one were to decide that they were "free to go" when the TSO obviously did not agree with that sentiment could said TSO then have the party in question escorted from the 'sterile area'?
Pure speculation would venture that YES said non-conforming party could be escorted from the 'sterile area' as it appears on the surface that the TSOs do have the authority to deny entry to the 'sterile area' and/or to an aircraft.