Sorry, jet lag ate my brain. It was at Sydney, on my way to LAX, where, "in accordance with US regulations," they were searching carry-ons and doing pat-downs. So we can't directly blame the TSA, just the TSA's influence.

If it matters, the patter-downer barely touched me, apparently able to tell simply from mystical vibrations whether I was wrapped in explosives. Either that or she had as little enthusiasm for the procedure as everyone in line did.

I also got a pat-down at LAX but was allowed to skip what appeared to be a bag-checking line because I was late for my connecting (domestic) flight.