Originally Posted by
ScatterX
People had cued for a flight, but boarding had not yet commenced. TSA, being the uber-efficient government agency they are, started a little early. They randomly pulled people out of the cue for a pat-down. They WERE NOT searching carry-ons, just doing pat-downs. They had an area set up for this that was right next to the gate.
After each person got their security massage, they had to stay in the little pen. The first folks to get the treatment had to wait about 10 minutes until boarding began. I was close enough to hear two people who wanted to get back in the cue. The TSA clerk refused to let them leave.
Now it obvious, people were lining up 10 minutes before boarding started so they were being gate lice. I bet some unhappy GA/PAX did a see something say something and reported the lice. The TSA responded with their lice checking crew. So it would seem to me that for once the TSA is doing something useful and delicing the boarding area. I mean it should be obvious because the TSA was not doing bag checks just pat downs. So obviously they were checking the PAX for lice.
More seriously and as mentioned, sounds like someone got the bright idea to check before boarding so as not to delay pax from getting on the plane once boarding started. Nice try but illegal detention IMHO.