I often disagree with a lot of the TSA criticisms here because my friendships with a few international "government employees" have given me insight into how many things are prevented around the world on a daily basis. That being said, I despise the gate checks because of the ensuing difficulties with getting carryons onto a full flight. Cameras and computers shouldn't go under the plane, not only because of the theft issues, but because they are very sensitive to the accumulation of vibration and it is very common for many of us to arrive at a job to find that one of our lenses will not zoom out properly due to a screw that has gotten loose from the flight. It may not seem like a big deal to most, but when the EU locks us into one carry on and we have to connect from BNA via a CRJ to the international hub, one bag in your possession at all times becomes a very big deal.

If the TSA is set on this policy, then if you are ever going to profile (another topic for some), then this is the time to do it. Then it MIGHT become a deterrent. Maybe we should move the puffers to the gate to add to the drama.