Joe Sharkey, in the NY Times, some time ago wrote that passengers in the secure area of the airport are actually not required to "freeze" during these drills.
Understood, I said. But still, am I, a citizen, required to stop motionless when the T.S.A. officers yell “freeze”?
Actually, no. The agency has “wide-ranging legal authority to carry out security-related responsibilities,” Ms Lee said. But in these specific drills, she added, “passengers are not required to ‘freeze’ in place like statues.” But if they are within the checkpoint security area, they may be required to remain there until the drill has ended, she said.
Freeze
A poster in the Practical Travel forum seems to have been caught up in such a drill [URL="http://http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23118137-post1.html"]Exit secure area[/URL ]and we have heard of others being told to "freeze" when in the secure area but not in the checkpoint.
TSA seems to want passengers to believe they must stay in place and not move one step during these events if told to to do when not in the checkpoint area.
Are passengers not in the checkpoint required to stay in place during a freeze drill?