What would happen if you were pulled aside for further security check at the arport.  (I don't fit the terrorist profile, so I'm sure I'll be searched, White, 30's Male.)

So if they wanted to strip search me and I refused, can I just say I won't fly that day and leave the airport, claiming 4th amendment protection against illegal search w/o probable cause.

Can I be arrested if I politely refuse and tell them I won't fly?

I would appreciate any real LEGAL information.

Thanks

WL

The problem is, you aren't dealing with people who believe in the "legal" system.  You are dealing with a bunch of uppity power-tripping asswipes.  They have no education, no real skills, but by God they're Federal Employees and you'd better show proper respect [i]or else[/i]!

As far as Texas law is concerned, there is no implied consent to search simply by attempting to enter the secured area of an airport.

Meaning that if you refused to be strip searched, the worst thing that should happen is that you do not get to enter the area and you may be escorted off the premises.

But federal laws being the way they are, who knows what the pinheads at the gate might think they are empower and authorized to do!

There is [u]no[/u] reason to strip search at an airport [u]unless[/u] there is something more involved. If you refuse, you should just be turned around.

Eric The(Reasonable)Hun[>]:)]

You don't have to worry about being strip searched, because nobody is strip searched.  At any point in the search you can request to stop the search, and tell them you won't fly.  If you do this you may be required to speak with the national guard and/or police.

If you decide you do not want to proceed be polite and courteous and everything will go fine.  If you are rude and disorderly, plan on wasting a lot of time while the police check you out.  

If you do not like something security is required to do (like make you open your belt buckle) you're best bet is to keep it to yourself since they are just doing what the TSA requires them to do.  Besides, arguing will not get you out of anything (and will probably result in you being "randomly" chosen for everything if you know what I mean.

This obviously isn't legal advice, but is based on what I have seen.  BTW...the best way to avoid being searched is to remove EVERYTHING from your pockets.  Yes that does mean keys, gum, cell phones, pens, ammo, sight adjustment tools, etc.  And don't bring pocket knives, swiss army, leathermans, cuticle clippers or scissors because they will be confiscated.

Like everyone has said you should just be told you can't fly and probably told to leave the secure area. As far as the comment about them just doing what they are told to do, I don't  buy that. They do more less what ever they feel like at the time. They are given rules to follow that change almost on a daily basis and most of them aren't sharp enough to follow rules anyways. I fly for a living and have seen absolutely no consistency or worse yet common sense used by any of the so called security screeners. Being courteous doesn't hurt but it doesn't help any more than being rude to them. Most of them are too dense to tell the difference. Sorry but this topic sets me off every time I get reminded of it.

yes if you are approached by airport police and they want to pull you aside for a strip search you can say get fucked.  you just wont be flying that day or prolly until you submit to one.  anyhow the only way you can be forced into a strip search is if you are taken into custody.  and no matter how much that security guard at the san francisco ap tells you he has to conduct a cavity search on you, dont submit even if you are taken into custody.  only medical personel are able to conduct cavity searches.  and women have no fear you are only to be strip searched by other women.  some depts wont even allow male officers to conduct pat searches of women unless it is a dire emergency.  oh and no you cannot be arrested for refusing a strip search.  but thats not to say you woundnt  do something else to warrant a arrest and search you know like suspicious behavior in the ap or some shit along those lines.