In every airport I've been through, passengers and carry on baggage are checked before the you get past the checkpoint. Yes, the screening areas are usually rop

In every airport I've been through, passengers and carry on baggage are checked before the you get past the checkpoint. Yes, the screening areas are usually roped off, but that's it. It's not terribly difficult for a TSA agent to have you step out of line and then lift a rope to allow you to exit the screening area. Yes, having to go back out to one's car and then return to the end of the line sucks, but it's probably better than having your stuff confiscated or being carried away in handcuffs.