Bart,

Just a question or 4 for you, and a story for the rest of us here.

Yesterday going through security at ORD, which generally is a bastion of some sanity, not total sanity, but some. Approached the checkpoint and was informed that I had to remove my shoes. Fine I was running a little late and had just found out my UA flight was cancelled, so a rebook was in order. Anyway, I removed my shoes and prepared to put on a set of plastic baggies much like what you store vegatbles in. The screener then informed me that all footwear must be removed. This included socks. When I asked him why his response is that we are looking for more than metal, and that the socks must come off. I informed him that I would not remove my socks as I was worried about the cleaniness of the floor. Of course he used the would you like to fly today line. I said I would take the secondary then. To which he responded that was not an option. Further, He physically blocked the WTMD until I had removed my socks. This was also going on at the two other WTMD at the checkpoint. I eventually was "forced" to remove my socks as there was no option to go back as my bags had already cleared through the machine. The supervisor when called over backed up the screener, saying that the screener can require that all footwear come off and that socks constitute footwear. He gave me a complaint form which I filled out and then watched him dump it in a trashcan away from the checkpoint.

Now for the questions. Can a screener actually require that you remove your socks? Do they actually constitute footwear? Can a screener refuse to allow you to pass if you agree to the secondary? And finally, could I have walked away from the checkpoint at that time? (i.e. What happens if your bags have cleared, but you haven't/cannot clear the WTMD because of a screener)