Just to clarify some things. At first I was not antigonsitic until they wanted to wand me after having me remove my belt and wallet and go through the metal detector twice without setting it off. I hope my same friends are there tomorrow when I get to go back through.

Yes, the burly, tough looking weekend warrior (read sarcasm there) actually threatened to arrest me. It didn't help when I started telling him of the posse comitus (sp?) laws saying he had no authority in civilian affairs.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone. Enjoy the crowds at the airports, just heard on the radio all the daily parking lots at IAH are nearly full.

I haven't had any similar experience, but I am a little worried about the sensitivity of the metal detectors.

I carry a sterling silver money clip that if straightened out would be about 4" long. It's also pretty thick; overall a fairly substantial chunk of metal.

It has *never* set off a metal detector. I just hope no-one is carrying a similar sized, straight, sharpened piece of metal to use as a weapon.

So. Take your friggin belt off, and be respectful. Let them wand you. What's the big deal?

It takes minutes of your time for the good of all.

FYI, the National Guardsmen do not talk to passengers... I have tried to communicate with them more than a few times -- evan a simple, "thank you" - and they don't seem to be allowed to acknowledge passenger communication.

If we were to let the security people do their job without attitude from people like you, maybe there wouldn't be as much burnout. They are simply trying to do their job. Next time, try letting them, with a bit of respect. The security people aren't responsible for WHY we have to do this. A little respect for others goes a long way.

cpd

Because for the most part, these new security measures aren't adding ANYTHING to security. I agree: don't abuse the employees unless they abuse their authority. However, many of them have clearly demonstrated their inability to think clearly. Or at all. No FAA mandate declares that paper clips shall be confiscated for example but some of these idiots do things like that. Regularly. Unless we say "enough is enough" the insanity will continue.

I wish there had been a newsteam at SDF this morning interviewing people for their opinions on all this great new security. The folks in line around me would have given the FAA an earfull, as would have I.

My beef is not with the security guard who does there job as they should. I have poited out from the beginning that 9-11 was not their fault. The knifes used for that were "approved" by the FAA.

My beef is with the over zealous security guards and National Guardsmen that now think they are the only people between a civilized society and anarchy.

This footnote. Just talked to my girlfriend who flew DL from DFW to LGA this morning. She was required to remove her bra after NOT setting off the metal detetectors and then after NOT setting them off again she was frisked.

Now I ask you... Is it appropriate for a 23 year old girl travelling home for Christmas to be "stripped" searched?

So where is Mr. Minetta? see this forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/005901.html

Anyone have his email? I would love to send these two threads to him.

The problem is that the security people are not out to catch terrorists, they are going through a checklist of things. Go through the checklist and that's all you need for a cya.

It's all over the newspapers that airlines don't check for bombs. I don't like to say it, but every newspaper and TV report has mentioned it. The security can say "it wasn't on our list of things to check. However, we did catch 13,249 nail clippers, 2,485 scissors, 369 dinner forks, etc."

I love everyone who has their "I don't look like a terrorist, so I shouldn't be bothered by the security people" attitude.

Unforunately, the security screeners don't know who you are and that you're not a terrorist. Tim McVeigh looked like a pretty respectable guy, as did most of the 9/11 hijackers I saw pictures of.

I'm sorry, but you "looking like a respectable person" in your opinion doesn't waive your obligation to be fully screened. The point of the security screening is SECURITY. Screeners can't just waive by people who "look good" and only concentrate on people you think "look like terrorists." The 9/11 hijackers were specifically trained to look and act like Americans, and according to the bin laden video, may not have even known their missions until inside the airport.

While we don't need to go overboard, just because someone is young, old, middle aged, white, black, asian, arab, native american, etc. looking, it doesn't mean they are or are not terrorists. Terrorists can be very cunning people, just like we. We've found ways around just about every security policy; but that's by no means a reason to make security lax.

d

I'm with Doppy-let's all take a deep breath and realize the rules were never good and there's going to be a long transition period until they are.

In the last week I had two flights and twice my tools for eating consisted of a plastic knife and two metal forks. Now I've never thought about what vioence I could do with a small metal fork, but I had to laugh at what sure seemed like a silly half gesture-take away the metal knife (always dull when I tried to cut meat) and leave me with two metal forks.

Don't call your lawyers yet, folks. Heck, in WW2, they even had food shortages.

The Posse Comitatus act, originally passed in 1878, doesn't actually apply to the National Guard, as far as I know.

http://law.wustl.edu/WULQ/75-2/752-10.html#fn0

Look at section II subsection A for a discussion. If there is another law that specifically applies to the National Guard, I'd be interested in hearing about it.

d

I guess that they will start asking to remove pacemakers, artificial joints, penile implanst and those very dangerous silicone breast implants

Excellent point on puting all pocket items except ID in the carry-on before it goes through the x-ray. I agree with others that there is certainly an increased risk of losing valuables when going through security now.

Regarding the unusual scrutiny we sometimes receive from airport security, why not complain to the airline? True, they're not directly responsible for the rules and scrutiny, but they could probably have an influence in improving the system if they heard more about the impact it was having on their frequent fliers.

I think you mean Section 3, subsection A.

Funny... but I just read that wine and other alchohol bottles are allowed to be carried on board. Break one these and they can be worse than box cutters. Go figure.

I had an older security guy look at my wallet and ask 'what's that?' Stunned and lost for a reply, I stood there with mouth open. Finally the guy behind me said 'money purse' and I was let through.

I'm too worried to put my valuables on the conveyor belt. Too high a theft risk. My 'money purse' is down to the basics, but I do have a card key. Ugh! What now?

Stop the madness!

Someone mentioned about people being able to carry bottles of alcohol on board. Well CO gives you the whole bottle of Sam Adams in First class. I mean as stated this can just as much be a weapon as some of the stuff they have prohibited. Someone stated earlier that we cut these people some slack. Well I believe in letting everyone do there job. But when you fly 3-4 times a week, And out of your home airport, you are hand searched for no reason everytime and everyone else just walks on by. I think there is a problem. At that point it no longer seems like people doing their job. It seems like people abusing their "fake" sense of power.