Originally Posted by
chollie
TSOs have unchecked authority to screen pax and belongings and to interrogate pax anywhere in the sterile area. According to one PHX supervisor, this authority extends to 'anywhere on SkyHarbor property, actually'.
No, they do not have unchecked authority. This comes up every so often and I have yet been directed to a governing law or regulation that would permit this. Once again:
§ 1540.107 Submission to screening and inspection. (a) No individual may enter a sterile area or board an aircraft without submitting to the screening and inspection of his or her person and accessible property in accordance with the procedures being applied to control access to that area or aircraft under this subchapter.
I would be happy to review any law or regulation that states otherwise.
As I stated previously, a higher standard to conduct a search of a non-covered person is required if that person is not proceeding through the screening checkpoint or is not boarding an aircraft.
Originally Posted by
Section 107
I could have been a little more clear on the "area of their post" - that includes the sterile area and is not limited to just the immediate area of the screening location.
I thought that we were in agreement as to where administrative searches could occur, but it appears we are not.
So I am in the sterile area after deplaning and walking through the terminal to the airport exit, but a TSO can decide on a whim (without reasonable suspicion) to detain me and do a pat down search? However, that same TSO can't force me to stop and freeze during what turns out to be a drill? That's incongruous.