Originally Posted by
Boggie Dog
Nothing in this states that a TSA screener can do any kind of action outside of the entrance to the sterile area. I agree that TSA can screen at will once a person presents or enters the sterile area.
Signage you speak of is at the checkpoint. Not out in the parking lots or non-sterile areas of the terminals.
Well, that is not how the system works. Congress passes a law directing and authorizing an agency/someone to do (or not do) something. The relevant agency then promulgates regulations to implement the legislation within the context of its charge that is not specifically prohibited by Congress in the enabling legislation or by other law. the agency has very broad authority. The regulations do not have all the how/what details so the agency then creates policies to implement the regulations. And that is how the Under Secretary has broad authority to search pretty much wherever it wants at an airport (or other transportation facility under its purview).
And that is how your, or at least the US, government works.