[sonnekki]

The commenter "seeker" asks the question: "Since when can the TSA cancel flights in airports that they neither own or manage? Last I checked, most of the large Texas airports were owned and managed by cities in which they reside."

Who does own these airports?

I think the TSA is bluffing implying that they can directly cancel flights, but they certainly have the power to deny anyone past security such that there are no passengers to fly.

That sounds like a terribly chaotic situation.

[mdiep]

Not only that, but airports don't need to use the TSA: they can opt to use a private security firm. (Source: http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/2010/11/amid-airport-...)

Maybe Texas should make a law preventing the TSA from handling security at any Texas airports.

[jdp23]

Private security firms at airports operate under the TSA's direction.

[djackson]

Well, since the TSA aren't law enforcement, they can't legally detain anyone - they rely on the police (local / state) for enforcement. Technically, Texas could have their officers refuse to detain those the TSA refused to clear.

At that point, the feds would need to step in with either the FBI or Federal Marshalls to prevent fliers from boarding planes.