I don't know how I missed this thread before, but just as a FYI, I sent a very lengthly letter, written from the perspective of both a Constituent and an aviation professional, outlining the problems with the TSA and offering very specific solutions that should be considered.

The letter was sent to the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Aviation (Rep. Mica), and his legislative aide forwarded it to the Subcommittee as a whole for debate.

I was in touch with the legislative aide from the Subcommittee asking on two occassions what the Subcommittee response was. So far, nada. Nothing. Not a word.

Since they know they can't respond to my letter with some sugarcoated canned 'it's for our safety' BS, it appears they are not going to respond at all.

I support Essxjay's efforts, but my own experience trying to make a professional and logical case appears to have been swept under the carpet or ignored...so I won't hold my breath for these folks doing the slightest thing to loosen the TSA noose no matter how bad things get or what they themselves suffer while traveling. It's an election year.

It will only remain a money issue for them for the time being. Fund budget, don't fund budget or amend budget. That's about it. Meanwhile, the opportunists in the Congress will call for more stringent and nuttier solutions so they can show how tough they are on terror when they send out their little postcards to the home District.