I love dogs. Use more dogs. One time, I went to HKK for a week. I had an apple in my backpack to eat on the plane on the way over. I forgot about it and it was still in my pack a week later. My friend and I were standing by the bag carousel in SFO when a customs agent (or maybe FDA? can't recall) with a beagle came by and made a beeline right for me. My friend went completely pale, certain that I had smuggled in some heroin or something. I myself was a bit scared, wondering if someone had planted something in there. Boy, was I glad when they found that apple.

Another time, I was in SYY waiting to go through passport control when I felt a gentle weight on my shoulders and just a tad of warm breath on my neck. A sweet black lab had both paws on my shoulders and was sniffing my backpack. I swear I have no idea why. It didn't drool on me or anything, nor did it ever bark, and reminded me that I must get another lab when I quit traveling so much. I felt much less intimidated by that than I do by people with guns.

I did wonder why I still did not get any extra scrutiny after that and why the dog's handler didn't want to look in my pack. Maybe the dogs start barking or something if they find anything really interesting?

Dogs have better judgement and more discipline than the current crop of homo sapiens working airport security, IMHO, and just as importantly, better breath!

JD

[This message has been edited by JoeDoakes (edited 02-21-2002).]