I get it, you dont understand the reference. OK, google it.

Third Rail, which is why in a post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14372381-post7.html) I made sometime ago that no matter how much we want to piss and moan very very little will change. We might see some small push back but not much unless the court get involves. No matter which party is in office.

In their defense, realize that many offices get tens of thousands (or more) letters each year, and there might be a staff of 4-5 people who handle all of them, in addition to performing other legislative duties. I've worked in a Congressional office; you basically only have time to skim the letters at most.

Considering recent history you should also consider how many members of congress are looking to be groped in airports.

Can't speak for Hutchison, but when I get replies from my senators, it takes 3 to 4 weeks, even for messages sent through their web sites.

I received an immediate canned response from both Representative Hensarling and Senator Conryn yet absolutely nothing from Senator Hutchison.

I don't expect a personal reply, I don't expect an immediate response saying action is being taken but I do expect to know that my concerns aren't being round filed without even a look.

OP-
You need to read the response in the proper voice, a Charles Schulz's Peanuts adult character voice, "Wanh wanh, wah wah wah wah." Then it all becomes clear.

It could backfire, but I've been wondering about making the points:

There isn't this type of screening for people meeting with the president.

The Capitol and Congressional office buildings are arguably higher-profile targets than an average airline flight. Are they willing to have AIT installed there and have themselves and their staff screened each time they enter?

In other words, politicians are like cats. If they want something, they're all over you; the rest of the time they're sitting on the fence.

You got it - case in point, those running in office will send out their local volunteers on the ground, go around door to door & get your signature on their petitions to be on the ballot - they have your names, address & phone number (yes, amazing ....) - calling you on election day to get out the votes.

A month or two later, once they are sworn it, good luck in hearing from them unless you are a fat cat (major donor). Cycle repeat itself, 6 to 12 months before re-election, newsletters & emails start hitting your mail/in-boxes again - time for that signature or contribution.

Visit the Hill, you meet the receptionist/secretary, wait, maybe greeted by an aide or legislative or constituion affairs director, watch the Congressional Pages running their errands and consider yourself really lucky if your member is ACTUALLY in the office & get to say hello & chat for 5 minutes + photo ops (and NOT on the floor voting or tied up on a roll call, hearing, etc. / away on an urgent matter)

a fence with sharp pointy poles afaic

My Rep also sends out form letters, sometimes they are off topic! My Senators are much better but their replies sometime takes months.

Have sent 4 letters regarding different issues (2 re: my experiences with the TSA) to Patty Murray's office and Maria Cantwell's (Senators for WA state) over the last 4 years. Senator Cantwell's office sends a response that addresses my concerns. Not a word from Patty Murray's office. Guess who didn't receive my vote this year - just indicative of how they operate imo.

about the TSA? I'm wondering how many people have called their representatives in Congress to complain about the TSA? We all post here about our horrible experiences, but perhaps if we had a PLANNED telethon to the reps in DC and tied up the phones, fax lines, etc. all at once we could get some media attention and maybe (at least in my "ideal" world) some changes to this getting worse every trip government agency. How many reps have you called and what was the outcome?

I have. "Cockroach" response if they even understood.

In person visits are far, far better.