said by StuartMW:said by Mele20:So, first TSA says touching the tube is not permissible (much less swabbing it) then does an about face and claims it is ok?
Well you're talking about an agency that can, and does, pretty much do what it wants in the name of "security".
If you question them or object they'll take you to a back room and interrogate you (for hours probably). Of course you're not being detained but you can't go to your gate or go back to the concourse. If you try you'll be arrested (by the police not the TSA).
Don't ask questions. OBEY!
that would be kidnapping, you always have the right to leave the airport, the TSA agents are NOT police, they DON'T have any more powers than a private security team would have, other than what you sign to allow them to do, of course, which is part of the flight procedure.