1) Yes. But I also would have felt safe flying on 9/12/2001. As soon as the pax took over UA flight 93, the serious threat from 9/11-style attacks was over. And I accept that nothing can ever totally eliminate the risk of attacks. I don't feel the risk today is any higher or lower than it was on 9/10/2001.

I'll assume your question about "airlines" includes govt/TSA actions.

2)

Don't like: pointy object search (confiscation/banning of my previously-allowed non-threatening pocket knife which directly affects me each time I fly). Shoe fetish of screeners (i.e., must take shoes off each time I fly). Metal detectors set so high that a dime sets them off (needed because they're trying to catch non-threatening objects like above. Detecting actual threats (guns) doesn't require such sensitive settings.) Excessive repetitive ID checks which do nothing for security and ID-checkers who reject my INSPASS because they can't find an exipiration date (my identity doesn't expire, so why must my ID card?). Pointless secondary screening, especially of non-threatening grandmothers, WWII vets, etc. Fear of suddenly showing up on no-fly list and not being able to get off. Privacy invading data-mining programs that threaten innocent passengers and do little/nothing to catch actual terrorists. Inability to checkin at the gate which was my mode of operation for years. Unpredictablity of and size of screening lines to enforce above policies which do little for security. Air marshalls who take revenue 1st-class seats from airlines (should be in coach) and hold innocent pax at gunpoint when there has been no real disturbance. Fear of delays/detention due to random evacuation of terminals when a non-threatening object is found in a terminal or a screener falls asleep at the switch.

Like: Reinforced cockpit doors. Enforcement of 1-carry-on policy which prevents pax from bringing 2-3 giant rollaboards. Prevention of non-pax from going to the gate, which reduces screening lines slightly and makes it to where I can get off a plane without pushing through some crying/screaming/hugging family which is completely oblivious to the fact that some of us are in a hurry to get off the plane and make a connection.

I prefer not to give my name; my handle "studentff" is plenty of identification. I suspect many on the board feel the same way. If you need to cite demographic info for me, I'm a mid-20s Ph.D. student in computer engineering who flys enough to be a premier executive on UA on an even mix of business and leisure trips, mostly domestically but some internationally


[This message has been edited by studentff (edited Feb 02, 2004).]