It is a very poorly written article. It appears that what they are saying is that you can buy a drink INSIDE the secure area and they can walk up to you and demand to test your drink.
The implications here is that the area inside the secured area in the airport is, freedom wise and constitutionally speaking, like anywhere in the Soviet Union of the 1960’s. That is, you give up your first amendment rights once you pass through security and then get them back once you cross that “can’t go back” line on your way to baggage claim.
I do my best to avoid flying wherever possible.
I got a great one for you; true story.
In 2008, flying back here to Prague from Seattle (via Paris), I exited the plane, looked for the sign for “baggage claim”, and duly toodled off to the right. Got my suitcase, then proceeded to what I thought was Customs/Passport Control.
Only one problem; instead, I proceeded straight to the main exit. No Customs, no Passport Control, nothing.
I’m a permanent resident here, so no biggie. But to say that was disconcerting, especially at an international airport, is an understatement.
Don’t know if it’s still that way.