...by my airline. I booked a last-minute, one-way trip with US Airways from DCA-SMF on Thanksgiving Day to surprise my family.

I was feeling really nice that morning, so I wrote a "card" that said "Happy Thanksgiving!" for the TSA and airline workers. I printed my boarding pass from the kisok and alas, I got the SSSS I've been hearing about (but never got). I know this seems totally weird, but I was just the teeny bit excited (because then I'd see what it's like). I went in line, which went quickly, got my ID and BP checked by the TSA BP checker, which took about thirty seconds (who smiled and bowed at my card), went in line, took my shoes and sweater off, showed my card to the X-RAY operator (who looked a bit taken aback, but then grinned and mouthed "thank you!"), showed my BP and the card to the X-RAY/BP "moat" checker, who was the only rude person--he didn't acknowledge my card, just pointed me to the "pen." There, I waited for about thirty seconds, then this friendly TSA lady grinned at my card and kind of smiled symphatecially at me for getting SSSSed. The man doing the patdown was quick, and he just scanned my things - didn't even do a bag check. I was then on my way. Only five minutes. Whew! (I also packed pretty neatly, but not in layers - nobody cared.) I was then on my way home - I had a good Thanksgiving, thank you for asking. No gate checks anywhere in sight.

On the way back yesterday - another one-way trip, this time with Southwest (SMF-IAD, yuck). I didn't get SSSSed, much to my surprise. Went in line at Sacramento (which was quick too), had my ID/BP checked and initalized very quickly by the TSA BP checker who grinned at me and said "have a wonderful flight!", went through the X-RAY, and was on my way in less than a minute (literally). Oh, and this time, I didn't pack neatly, but they didn't care at all (re: SimpliFLY). Arrived at Dullest airport and saw cameras in the jetway. I found it ironic that there were cameras in the jetway at IAD, but not at DCA.

I guess that's all... just wanted to share the details of my trip, security-wise, and how relieved I was that it wasn't bad.

thanks for the report.

I have no status on US Air. So every time they change my flight even in the airport because they canceled my original flight I get SSSS.

It is either the pleasant TSA experience you had or... I am treated like THE BIG CATCH where they go through all my carry ons and even go through my wallet and books page by page.