It has always been my opinion that people who complain about anything do so more loudly, more frequently and with more energy than those who compliment -- if they even take the time to offer a compliment.

There is one person here who I travel with a great deal. He gets very upset on almost every trip, feels as if he is singled out for shotty service from TSA and doesn't understand why I am not as vocal about TSA issues considering I fly three times as much as he does. He also doesn't understand why I “receive better treatment” from TSA than he does, even though I know that I am treated no differently than everyone else.

The difference between the way each of us approach going through security could not be more different. He gets very spun up on the way to the airport, ranting about how we're losing our civil liberties, our founding fathers, why can't I take 4 ozs of shampoo, etc. I've witnessed him make remarks about how stupid the rules are while going through security, etc.

Conversely, I always greet the personnel with a "Good morning/afternoon/evening. How are you today?" as I was brought up to do (yeah... I'm originally a southerner) and as I do in most business transaction settings. I try my best to know the rules and abide by them, slapping myself on the head when I forget to take something out of my bag that was ok to possess on my last train ride to NYC.

I have had a few "discussions" with TSA personnel when I feel that things are a bit out of whack, but always in as a professional, civil manner as possible. I do not agree with everything the agency is doing but I am much happier that they are doing something rather than nothing and believe that the kinks will get worked out over time.

I would say that 95% of the people I know and associate with are of the same opinion. Those of us who travel a lot (I had 130,000 miles last year with only one of those trips being International) have addressed the implementation of TSA, and all that comes with it, by simply making adjustments in our travel planning. Many of us have done so willingly because of our life experiences. Ultimately, it's those experiences that shape our views and attitudes about pretty much everything, no? I have been accused of being a TSA apologist by more than a couple of folks (which could NOT be more incorrect), but here's where I come from...

I lived in Europe from 1980-1987 and I clearly remember being involved in many, many discussions about how lax airport security was in the US compared to other countries. Amazingly so at that time.

I survived an RAF terrorist bombing by less than 60 seconds several years ago. I lost several friends and co-workers on 9/11 and spent 4 hours not knowing if my wife was alive, trying to remain calm and reassure our kids, families and friends for 4 hours. 4 hours of watching the TV and seeing that part of the last wall the plane went through was our old office. I also have more than a little experience setting up and leading new organizations with new missions, although with a great deal more time in the planning phase than was afforded for DHS and TSA.

There are several people in my circle who have similar experiences and who also drop into this forum from time to time, although we routinely fight the urge to post a response to the many posts you refer to as it often appears to be pointless. Much like the vocal extremists of the political parties in our country, people tend to make it very difficult to discuss the middle ground on polarizing topics such as TSA.

Sorry... this post is way too long. The bottom line is to take what you read here with a grain of salt and draw your own conclusions by visiting the US and experiencing the good and bad that we, like any country, have to offer. The one thing that I can tell you for sure, I have never been subjected to oversight by security officials armed with sub-machine guns and dogs in immediate proximity here as I have on many, many occasions elsewhere.