Originally Posted by
BrewerSEA
I agree with pretty much everything you've posted but one correction and an important reminder:
The TSA does not have the power to detain you. If the TSA will not let you pass through the security checkpoint or you do not want to consent to any request they make you have the right to turn around and leave. The TSA can call the police if they are suspicious of you and a law enforcement officer could potentially detain you.
Plus potential scenarios like:
Get the BP scanned, no LLL, was expecting LLL so wore loafers w/o socks, need to go over to bench and put on socks since I'll have to remove shoes for screening.
Balancing w/o touching the floor while putting on socks and minding one's luggage could be difficult and I for one would want to go sit on a bench for that bit. Doesn't seem worth getting into a battle royale on their part when I say "I'm not walking on this floor barefoot and am walking over to that bench 20 ft. away to get some socks" but perhaps I still continue to underestimate TSA...