I'm relieved that someone picked up on the connection and the larger point I'm trying to make: the more resources devoted to fighting imaginary wars and the actions of silly bureacracy, the less that can be spent pursuing legitimate charitable causes, such as the ones Lehava represents.

Let's say the replacement of toiletry articles on a given trip for the average FTer is $30 (plus tax ). From what I understand, $30 dollars is a helluva lot of money to a starving Sudanese family. (Hell, $30 is a lot of money for a starving American.)

That's the economic priniciple at stake here: basic guns vs. butter.

I applaud essxjay's stand on this matter.

I think too many sheeple are rolling over to please the master.

Good point. I needed a copy-editor that late at night. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll edit my OP.

Um, what you just posited makes about as much sense as saying that Christmas causes New Years.

I see your point and agree. No one likes to have to waste their own money to purchase shave cream at every over-night stop. I don't know how many people would donate to relief for poverty, though.

What I was trying to say, though, was that the resources wasted in screening procedures that add nothing to our security could be better used in other protections that might be reasonable: better screening of cargo, etc. etc. etc. In SO many ways, we are headlong in flight from reasonable behavior. It's sad given the dignity and doggedness of other generations in terrible circumstances such as Britons during the Blitz.

Hysteria is a response to successful terrorism and we have been at its effect since 9/11.

TSA ... VIGILANT, EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT.

Please pick one.

????

You've not given a "None of the above" option.

4) None of the above.
Ding, Ding, We have a winner!

Luckily the UK ban on carry on has been eased, but still no liquids, only 1 piece and size restricted

Interesting first post. Are you a TSA employee?

Welcome to FlyerTalk

Tom in Vancouver, B.C. today enjoying the sun

The three words are part of the Terrorism Support Agency's Mission Statement:

http://www.tsa.gov/who_we_are/mission.shtm

Sam,

I would be proud to stand with you and happy to have you stand for me.

I don't know how I missed this thread before, but just as a FYI, I sent a very lengthly letter, written from the perspective of both a Constituent and an aviation professional, outlining the problems with the TSA and offering very specific solutions that should be considered.

The letter was sent to the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Aviation (Rep. Mica), and his legislative aide forwarded it to the Subcommittee as a whole for debate.

I was in touch with the legislative aide from the Subcommittee asking on two occassions what the Subcommittee response was. So far, nada. Nothing. Not a word.

Since they know they can't respond to my letter with some sugarcoated canned 'it's for our safety' BS, it appears they are not going to respond at all.

I support Essxjay's efforts, but my own experience trying to make a professional and logical case appears to have been swept under the carpet or ignored...so I won't hold my breath for these folks doing the slightest thing to loosen the TSA noose no matter how bad things get or what they themselves suffer while traveling. It's an election year.

It will only remain a money issue for them for the time being. Fund budget, don't fund budget or amend budget. That's about it. Meanwhile, the opportunists in the Congress will call for more stringent and nuttier solutions so they can show how tough they are on terror when they send out their little postcards to the home District.