Dave T, I’m relieved to hear that at least some security screeners have managed to retain their professionalism, instead of succumbing to the temptation to become little tin gods.

Thanks for your informative post and the kind words.

I just saw your comments. No offense taken at all. However, I can respond a bit to your post and the two links you posted. I haven’t been to The States since 1997 or thereabouts so I haven’t experienced the airport security there lately. From what I have heard from friends and family in the U.S. along with what I have read I can only say that things are different in the U.S. than for example Europe. Sure, our airport security in Europe is reaching new hights as well and things take more time (I do travel quite a bit in Europe) but in my opinion people working the security here have been pretty much professional about it. Sometimes they seem a bit distracted and they want to get you out of the way but I can only imagine their job situation. I have yet to experience any uncomfortable or unnecessary measures in airport security on this side of the Atlantic since 9/11. The only frustrating thing is that things take much more time but I have learned to adapt to that as well. I got a few tricks up my sleve that will get me through the controls faster. For instance, I always carry my laptop with me so what I do is that I have a little plastic bag with me in my laptop case. While I am standing in line for the security controls I remove everything from my pockets and all things metal and put them into the bag and into the laptop case. My watch, small coins, tie clip, the works. That will get scanned by by their machines. The only thing that will halt your process is if they want to see your electronics work (computer on standby, mobile phone on so that isn’t a problem) or if they want you to remove your shoes.

Dave T.

Some more relevant links from my collection:

Arm the pilots (and everyone else)
by Dr. Chuck Baldwin

Shotgun News Column on Terrorism — Sept 12 2001
by Neal Knox

How to Stop Hijackers from Using Planes as Weapons
by Clayton E. Cramer

Safe Travel
by Jay Chris Robbins and Jamie Beckett

How to prevent air hijackings
compiled by Steve Kirsch

Rebuttals To Misguided Legislators Who Think Pilots Should Not Be Armed

Why Leave Pilots Defenseless?
by Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas)

I want to apologize to everyone on this thread for firing before aiming; I posted a reply with two links regarding US security screeners’ behavior before I went back and re-read Dave T.’s post referring specifically to ElAl’s security screeners’ behavior. Mea culpa.

Oops, time for my Ritalin 😉
-Mark

And then see how far you get.

So their system works for them.