I have a suspicion that the TSAs unreasonable behaviour (unreasonable adherance to protocol) is due to them being subject to random performance tests where they actually do send through enlderly women in wheelchairs with contraband straped to their butt and automatically flag them for extra search. Failing to detect the contraband in this case is probably punished in some way so the agents are forced to throw all common sense out the window when handling people[0] that have been flagged for additional screening.

[0] People like me. I get flagged every single time I enter the United States.