Really I think this is all good.

The Congress exemption seems weird, but I could care less.

The most significant part of the changes, which I hope take effect, is the reduction in secondaries. If there is one thing that sets people on this board ablaze, it's cuckoo secondary screening. From a cost-cutting perspective, it seems like an obvious choice. Reducing secondaries will save money and make informed passengers happy.

If Chertoff and committee members are thinking clearly, they'll decide that someone who chooses to wear flip-flops, who doesn't alarm the WTMD, probably doesn't need a full secondary.

Likewise, the airlines can finally come to their own senses and edit their SSSS selection criteria. I always want to say, "Yes, after 100,000 miles over the last couple of years, I've decided that THIS is the flight in which I'll become a terrorist. It's a good thing that you selected me!"

As far as sharp objects go, I've never had issues myself with carrying any forbidden objects, but the danger presented by belt buckles, blenders and rolling pins does seem exaggerated.

Now if only the new rules could include recommendations for screeners to use their "inside voices..."