It doesn't help that he wasn't exactly as polite as possible in dealing with the TSA agents in the screening area.
Can anyone point to the statute making it illegal for him to leave? Interesting that he's threatened with fine and lawsuit after leaving, but the agents who escorted him out get a pass for not knowing it was illegal for him to leave.
He asked multiple times if he was free to go. That's the typical question you ask to determine if you're under arrest or not. If you're not, they can't stop you from leaving.
It's distressing the amount of disarray the TSA is constantly in when it comes to it's own rules. This was the kicker.
"Michael J. Aguilar, chief of the TSA office in San Diego, called a news conference at the airport Monday afternoon to announce the probe. He said the investigation could lead to prosecution and civil penalties of up to $11,000.
"TSA agents had told Tyner on Saturday that he could be fined up to $10,000.
“That’s the old fine,” Aguilar said. “It has been increased."
Politeness should not be required, but impoliteness on his part is counterproductive. People are too likely to dismiss him as someone who just should not have gone looking for a fight (even if he should have).
It doesn't help that he wasn't exactly as polite as possible in dealing with the TSA agents in the screening area.
Can anyone point to the statute making it illegal for him to leave? Interesting that he's threatened with fine and lawsuit after leaving, but the agents who escorted him out get a pass for not knowing it was illegal for him to leave.