I have a couple of random observations: First of all, it does occur to me that most of the security screeners are just working men and women trying to do a not particularly pleasant job, and should probably be given a break.

Quite a few times, I have seen complaints that some particular security rule has no logical reason, and more often than not, I've been able to figure out some good reason (which may or may not be the same reason it was imposed). And even if the rule has no good reason for existing, being unpleasant to the guy who is just doing his job probably won't do any good anyway.

On the other hand, I am somewhat concerned now that boarding an aircraft is becoming as an accepted place for random searches, that random searches will become accepted other places, which strikes me as a Bad Thing (r).

Therefore, while I have no desire to make life difficult for the screeners, I have personally vowed that I will not treat random searches as routine.

For example, a few weeks ago, I was the lucky recipient of a random search at IAH. (I had changed seats on the NW segment of a CO ticket and exchanged my CO boarding pass for a NW one. I suspect this might have made me look like a one-way NW passenger who just showed up in the system the same day as the flight.)

Despite the repeated PA announcements that jokes about security may result in arrest, apparently the screeners are allowed to tell jokes. (One screener jokingly told a passenger that he was he was going to confiscate a cake she was carrying aboard.) IMHO, if the passengers are not allowed to tell jokes, then the screeners should not be allowed to either.

I can understand that joking around with passengers in a stressful situation might make the experience appear less intimidating for some. But on the other hand, random searches ARE intimidating, and I don't think the screeners should act in such as way as to minimize this intrusion, whether or not it happens to be necessary.

On that particular search, I did not quite have the guts to do what I plan to do the next time. If I am selected, I will tell the screener in that official airline-speak voice, "before I consent to the search, I will need to see your government-issued photo ID." If I am questioned as to why I need to see it, I'll just tell them that this is America, and we don't have anonymous searches here.

On this particular search, they were trying to move everyone along as fast as possible (see first observation, that these were just working schmucks trying to do their job as fast as possible) and were trying to get an assembly line of sorts going. Screener #1 took my boarding pass and passport, and directed me to Screener #2 who had the unenviable job of hand-searching my shoes.

Screener #1 set my passport and boarding pass near his station and sent me to the other screener. I announced (loudly enough so that other passengers could hear and in an airline-speak voice) that I did not want to proceed with the search unless I could keep my personal possessions in view at all times.

I'm not sure I accomplished anything, but the screeners did seem to become more businesslike, and for a couple of minutes, it did become clear again that what was going on here was an intrusion on everyone's liberties. It might be necessary to have searches, but at the very least it should be remembered that what is going on here is an intrusion.

Perhaps someone who travels through IAH more often that I do can correct me on this, but it sure sounded like they kept announcing something like "please do not be DISSUADED to carry items onto the aircraft for strangers or persons you do not know well." The first time, I thought I had heard it wrong, but that's sure what it sounded like.

Finally, last night I was in DFW, and spent some time observing the security screener at my gate. Here are some helpful hints for any security screeners who might be reading this:

If you are indeed going to pick a random screenee, then please use some better criterion than "the first guy who boards". Last night, the poor screener was playing tag with three people waiting to board. I think First Class had boarded, and these three were Group 1. The screener approached this group, waiting for one of them to come forward. They saw him coming, and all moved away from him. They had probably moved 20 feet away from the gate by the time he finally caught the one who was closest, at which point this lucky passenger was escorted away, and normal boarding continued.

Second, please keep in mind that while rubber gloves might be a tool that is necessary to do your job, they should not in any way be considered part of your uniform. You will look less ridiculous if you wait to put them on until immediately prior to touching something that might contaminate you (or vice versa). You should not put them on ten minutes before boarding. They do *not* make you look more official. Again, the important thing to keep in mind is that they are a TOOL, and not part of your UNIFORM.