Originally Posted by Bart

I don't know where you got your facts from; however, I'd like to clarify a few things for you. First of all, TSA screeners are not law enforcement officers. They cannot order you to do anything against your wishes nor can they detain you; they certainly cannot arrest you.

When you enter a checkpoint, you do so voluntarily. Actually, it's an agreement you've made as a condition for flying a commercial airliner. If you do not successfully complete the screening process, then you don't fly. It's as simple as that.

If you enter a checkpoint and have an illegal item or commit a crime in the process, then it is no longer a security matter. It is a law enforcement matter, and the airport police will take over the situation. That's when all of the legal principles involved in due process comes into effect. Again, what we're talking about here is, for example, if you have a firearm in your possession at the checkpoint, illegal drugs found incidental to a security search or if you assault one of the screeners. (Yeah, I'm oversimplifying it for the sake of discussion.) These situations all meet the minimum standards for police officers to take initial action; although they may choose to exercise police discretion and not necessarily arrest you. This is strictly a law enforcement officer decision not TSA's. But TSA, along with the airline GSC, will offer their recommendations.

TSA was originally created to screen all modes of transportation. This should not be a surprise to you. However, the priority, clearly during the aftermath of 9/11, was with airport security screening. Again, this should not be a surprise. Eventually, TSA is supposed to establish screening methodologies for other modes of transportation or at least address security issues. I don't necessarily envision us having security checkpoints at bus terminals and train stations; however, I think there will certainly be TSA security inspectors who periodically review security procedures at these various modes of public transportation.

You have not lost your civil liberties. The Constitution is still the Law of the Land. I hope you are objective enough to honestly review the information you have available to you and not fall for the empty rhetoric and cheap hyperbole of anti-government paranoia.