Doesn't say anything about "simple" confiscation; only about voluntarily surrendering a passport which has been revoked. ...still looking.

Edit to add: It looks like not even USCIS has the authority to confiscate a U.S. passport:

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2011/April/revocation-us-passport-pm-602-0036.pdf

I stand where I can see my stuff on the other side, and blow off any requests that I move (note I'm not blocking the line). The more they bark, the more they demonstrate to everyone else how little authority the have, as nothing ever comes of it. :D

You misread my intent.

I think TSA has created a system where it's practically impossible to train their employees, because of the overwhelming morass of things to train upon. For that, TSA bears responsibility.

There are ways to deal with that. One is to continually train --- as your experience as a sports official demonstrates. Another is to cut back on the number of rules. Probably both are necessary.

Well, it is.

That only raises an ambiguity about whether taking pictures of the screens is prohibited, it doesn't alter the clear statement that taking pictures of the rest of the screening area is permitted.

That doesn't complicate anything. Taking photographs isn't disruptive. Clerks aren't entitled to make up their own rules.

The TSA doesn't have too many rules; it doesn't fire enough clerks for failing to follow the rules. If the TSA started firing clerks for incompetence, the rules would suddenly get a lot easier to understand.

Very true. The first time it happened (at JFK) I was a bit perplexed and responded with "What?" The TSA agent became a bit hostile and demanded I state my name. I did and was on my way. I don't argue with TSA agents as I'm always aware in the U.S.A. that I'm a visitor and don't enjoy the same rights as Americans.

I'm an American. I respond the same way because when it comes to TSA, I don't have any more or better rights than non-Americans. If I want to fly (that day and in the future), I do whatever they say.

Before the end of my Nexus fun, I had put a little sticker on the back of my Nexus that said "The Nexus is #7 on your SOP list of acceptable ID's." I read that info here on FlyerTalk and when I started doing that, they would go to the manual, match it up to #7, and on my way I would go. It was like magic. Well there was one time.....

After presenting my Nexus a supervisor pulled me to the side and asked to see my ID. Without handing it over, I showed it to her. She said to turn it over and I did. She saw the sticker and said that I had to remove the sticker as that info was SSI. I said that it is against the rules for her to tell me information that was SSI but it was perfectly fine for me to tell her information that I knew was SSI, as by my knowing it, it was no longer SSI.

A brief befuddled look was followed by an almost imperceptible nod and I was sent on my way.

That was t:ptally brilliant!

I appreciate you attitude (which is my attitude, too, when I travel internationally). However, to clarify, the Bill of Rights is a restriction on government power, not a bestowal of rights by the government -- the rights that are the subject of the Bill of Rights are inherent, inalienable and not confined to citizens, i.e. you enjoy them, too, when you visit. Don't feel you have to give up fundamental human rights because they are limited only to US citizens -- they are not.

Please keep those absolutes in mind during our next 2nd Amendment debate.

Never hurts to ask!

I agree most rights aren't limited only to US citizens but your government does not recognize those rights in quite the same manner with non-resident aliens who can be removed from the country pretty much on a whim. Getting snooty with the TSA to the point where the police or CBP might be involved is a very good way to find yourself on the other side of the border and not permitted to return.

I always do. Feel free to cite an instance where I haven't.

There is no constitutional right of a non-citizen to enter or remain in the country. I'm not aware of any country that extends such a right to non-citizens.

As for getting snooty with TSA, I suppose it all depends on what you mean by snooty. CBP, on the other hand, is another story. Entry can be denied to non-citizens for any reason or no reason. It's probably best to leave fighting the good fight with CBP to those of us who are US citizens. :)

Just when you thought this kind of thing was part of the past....

TSA at EWR this morning took one look at my Global Entry card and told me it wasn't accepted there. I suggested that was incorrect and was told that it might be good elsewhere but that it wasn't good enough for the PreCheck lane. I asked for a supervisor. This really irritated the clerk I was dealing with and he summoned the supervisor who looked at the back and front of my card numerous times, scribbled on my BP and sent me d:pwn the chute.

Oh, my goodness! Global Entry used to be the only fool-proof way to get PreCheck! And now we have TSA saying that it isn't good enough for PreCheck? Good grief.

The truth, as you know, is that the ID requirements are exactly the same for all the lines. You don't need special IDs for PreCheck.

Bruce