I can assure you that the figure is more than zero, although I tend to agree that it isn't high enough. When the TSA started imposing fines, I was moved to write personal letters to my congressional representatives. My senators ignored me, but my representative, Rush Holt, forwarded my letter to the TSA. Eventually, the TSA responded to him, and he sent me the response. It was not what I wanted to hear, but it was a real 2-page letter signed (well, probably auto-penned) by Asa Hutchinson.

I agree with many other posters, both TSA and non-TSA, who have commented on the much higher quality of TSA staff compared to what passed for "security" before 9/11/01. The old group was a bunch of cretins. The new folks speak English, are generally polite, act like they have something to lose, etc. I am not in any way disparaging TSA employees when I ask how intelligent people with other opportunities can do such a foolish, thankless job.

Maybe the key word here is "opportunities." We have heard from quite a few TSA employees who either want to get out or already have. They find themselves at the TSA out of necessity, not a misguided belief that they are accomplishing great things by wanding little children and probing unwilling people's private areas. If I'm right about that, then maybe we should have a little sympathy for the screeners -- and I am starting to do so. But the gung ho ones are simply nuts, and I will avoid them whenever possible.

Bruce