Originally Posted by gsoltso

All searches conducted at the airport by TSA, are part of the regulatory scheme. They are clearly defined in regulation, are implemented according to those regulations and are used at several locations throughout the airport. The signage is posted so that folks are aware that searches are not just conducted at the checkpoint areas.

As I explained above, I do not post images I am unable to find online at one of our sites (for the most part). That goes double for official signage - if it isn't on a TSA site, I will not post it.

I have never conducted a search without consent - I have had situations where passengers chose not to participate in the screening process and were denied entry into the sterile area. I have also been in situations where a passenger chose not to participate in additional screening (again, conducted as part of the regulatory scheme) at the gate area and was denied boarding, and escorted out of the sterile area by LEOs.

There is no higher standard required for a search past the checkpoint area, merely that the searches being conducted in the sterile area comport with the regulatory scheme or design.