I found that out the hard way just after TSA began screening. I volunteered at an airport and went to see if my shoes set off the detector. They did and that is all I wanted to know. The lady told me I had to be patted down. I told her what I was there for and went back to my job. Ten minutes later the police chief, TSA supervisor and another officer (Police knew me WELL), took me back and told me I was charged with a FELONY!! I literally got as sick as this man. When it was all over- after TWO hours, I was released with no charges but it had to go through the chain of command. DISGUSTING...the lady who told me this did not try and really stop me to make me understand. She just wanted a bonus....
Whenever I was there in the future and she was, I went through her checkpoint!!
As I understand it they cannot arrest you for insisting on not continuing the inspection process. You have the right to leave the airport and not board the plane. That doesn’t mean they won’t detain you by concocting some suspicion of potential harm to the public.