If I decline to consent to a search, I know that I'd immediately be flagged as trouble by the border staff: That's part of their job. I don't think searches ar

If I decline to consent to a search, I know that I'd immediately be flagged as trouble by the border staff: That's part of their job. I don't think searches are effective, and if I was searched regularly or particularly intrusively, I would start getting upset, but as being searched doesn't sound that traumatic to me (though I've not had more than a pat down and a bag check), for now I'd much rather comply, make my flight, and not be on their database as a troublemaker. If you have a problem with the way border control operates, I think it's a much better idea to try to deal with it while you're not standing in the middle of it.