Newsstand - The View From Gate 14

America is in line at the airport. America has its shoes off, is carrying a rubberized bin, is going through a magnetometer. America is worried there is fungus on the floor after a million stockinged feet have walked on it. But America knows not to ask. America is guilty until proved innocent, and no one wants to draw undue attention. America left its ticket and passport in the jacket in the bin in the X-ray machine, and is admonished. America is embarrassed to have put one one-ounce moisturizer too many in the see-through bag. America is irritated that the TSA agent removed its mascara, opened it, put it to her nose, and smelled it. Why don't you put it up your nose and see if it explodes? America thinks...

http://online.wsj.com/article/declarations.html

Great article with much truth in it. Sad America.

Kind of pessimistic, isn't it? Sure, security and the TSA suck, but you've gotta find ways to bear it and fight through with a smile on your face.

This article makes it sound like the soul of America is withering because of air travel, which I can't force myself to believe.

Great article with much truth in it. Sad America.

I would have to agree with you here. It's just downright embarrassing getting through security these days. Who is to blame? The Islamic jihadists? George Bush?

Who is to blame?

The American people, for allowing and even encouraging our government impose such insanity on us.

Society has chosen to pursue the "support your government our you're not a patriot" approach rather than reality, which is that patriotism REQUIRES us to question our leaders. As long as the people continune to elect a government that subjugates its people we have only ourselves to blame. Sad but true (http://www.wanderingaramean.com/2008/04/sad-commentary-on-travel-in-usa.html).

Such drama. You put your liquids in a quart bag, take your laptop out, empty your pockets, take your shoes off, put them all in a tray or two on the belt and go.

Such drama. You put your liquids in a quart bag, take your laptop out, empty your pockets, take your shoes off, put them all in a tray or two on the belt and go.

Thanks, why do people make such a big deal out of such a simple process. I went in and out of scurity three times the other day at BWI. (I wanted something from the america store for a friend, not in my terminal)and it took two min. I do wish men would get purses. They slow down the lines so bad. Get it together before you get in line and put the cell phone away!