Originally Posted by
rickair7777
This is a specific limit to their authority when it comes to observing a pre-flight...
They can also legally ask you "what are you looking for", but only in the context of security NOT in the context of ensuring the airplane is ready for flight. There is a very specific correct answer to that question, verbatim out of the TSA's handbook. I'm not going to repeat it on a public forum, but if you are a 121 pilot and don't know the answer to this question you should find out before you get fined for not knowing.
If a TSA agent is asking about systems, etc you don't really have to discuss that with them. They are probably just curious though...they don't have the vaguest clue about how to evaluate what you are doing.
So, you're saying TSA is permitted to distract us during our pre-flight process. Are they also assuming responsibility if something air safety related is missed while conducting the preflight"? They can ask me all the questions they want after I am done!