@sailman:
Thanks for the info. I also think the screeners at LAX are particularly thuggish, but the real difference between LAX and other airports seems to be the LAPD. The LAPD at LAX were threatening and obnoxious, far beyond what I've seen elsewhere.

I am travelling to Southern CA again, but I have altered my travel plans to avoid flying out of LAX. When I called UAL to cancel my tickets, I told them why I was cancelling.