I travelled through the US in December for the first time in a couple of years and not being a US passport holder noticed that the 'random' gate searches were not 'random' for me or for my partner, 10 from 10.

I did also have problems with my umbrella at JFK but only once I got to the gate, after it had been scanned and approved as carry on at check in. The security guard insisted that it be approved by the pilot before I got on the plane. The UA staff seemed to think the guy was being stupid but went along with him anyway. Maybe he thought I was going to open it on the plane and cause everyone to have bad luck! The most generous comment I could make was that he was taking his job seriously, but a bit of common sense would have been welcome.