Here's the number for the AP's Portland bureau: (503) 228-2169. If you call early in the day, and make your point quickly, you should get someone interested _ try not to make it sound personal, though.

Selling the story as "United keeps getting pushed around by the FAA, can't do anything about it and passengers are worse off for it" is news. Especially the part about agents getting in trouble for being "too nice."

"I had trouble with security at PDX" is going to make you sound like you're trying to get the reporter to carry your water, even though you're not.

Also: I think a regular poster here is a journalist at the (Portland) Oregonian. Which could also be a help.