Mrs. Fredd and I landed at SFO from PVR a few days ago. We walked from International over to Domestic about 6:15 p.m. to transfer to our domestic leg back to SEA. There was only one crowded security lineup open ("Elite line closes at 6:00 p.m." we were told, but that's another thread ).

So, we're first sent into one of two lines, which then merge into one line, causing people somewhat to crowd in front of each other. We're then subjected to one of those "shouters" who apparently has been ordered to bark out instructions about removing items for screening, removing shoes, etc. At least she's not using the bullhorn that we experienced on a trip through the SFO security line a year or two back.

Mrs. Fredd decides to be daring and to leave her shoes on because one hand is badly swollen after an impromptu volleyball game that morning in the hotel pool (I know, it's a tough life being retired).

Even though she explains that to the TSA, we still sense she is "punished" by being herded into the little corral, and left to stand there for a couple of minutes (the "time out" for small children comes to mind) before an employee gets around to swabbing her running shoes.

The point of my long and meandering story? If anything invites - no, incites - belligerence, it's the very environment that pervades too many U.S. airport security lines.

We actually feel more "offended" and "violated" when we're groped by employees at FRA and MUC with the special treatment apparently reserved for U.S.-bound flights, but we've found nowhere we've flown in the world thus far to be as offensive as the treatment we receive in too many U.S. airports before we go through the actual screening.