I flew with my family back from Puerto Vallarta last Thursday, the day the London story broke. Here are my observations:

- passengers were very patient

- security personnel went through every bag both checked, and carry-on, and were friendly, though a bit skeptical of their own procedures (some to the point of boredom), and incredibly inconsistent. My wife had her cell phone, chargers, camera etc., put into a check-in bag, as well as unopened water bottles confiscated. My "inspector" turned on my cell phone, let me keep it, and then didn't search the rest of my carry-on.

- boarding the plane, a security person took away leftover chicken fingers

- my 5-year old said "it doesn't make sense to take away the water because you can buy water at all the stores; she's right of course. After security you could potentially load up on banned substances before boarding the plane. This, of course, does not affect the safety of the plane, but make no mistake: on every flight, regardless of the security procedures, you will have a wide array of banned items without anyone knowing how they got there.

These are security procedures that don't work on any level.

Except on a non-rational level. One which we need to consider. It's easy to blame "society" or the government for fear-mongering and I agree it exists, but you don't have to read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance to know that rationality is not the only reasonable way for humans to process information. Like it or not, humans want to *feel* safe. It's prudent and the right thing to do have procedures to make the flying public feel safe. My wife was completely ok with her water being confiscated, while I pointed out the absurdity. On that Thursday, passengers were quite possibly more calm and patient, because of the extra security.

Where our government fails (again) is in a quality of leadership whereby well-intentioned, informed professionals, weigh the alternatives of various security procedures to best ensure the real and yes, perceived safety of passengers. Don't get me wrong, I think Mr. Smith captures the right balance. For anyone who travels frequently, it is readily apparent that the removing of the shoes and the new policies banning liquids, etc., is a complete waste of time, money, and energy.

Unlike the letter-writer who has experienced mean security personnel, I think many of the security personnel post-9/11 are more friendly. I don't know, but it strikes me as another well-balanced security measure. Well-trained security people can learn a lot about the state of mind of travelers through friendly, seeminly-casual conversation, while also making passengers feel more at-ease.

Dear Salon:

As a long-time reader and Premium member, I count on your insightful, up-to-the-minute articles on breaking news. I am usually impressed by the high quality of writing and editing. Today, however, I have to pick on you for one gaffe. In the editorial cartoon/drawing that accompanies this article, you have a mock crest of arms that reads "Transportation Security Administration" at the top, and "US Department of Transportation" at the bottom. I feel obligated to remind you that in 2003 TSA was transferred to the newly formed mega-Department of Homeland Security (DHS). I am sure that the Department of Transportation would appreciate it if you did not perpetuate the myth that the oft-reorganized TSA still belongs to DOT. Keep TSA where it belongs - in DHS.

Sincerely,

Roberta Stewart

karrsic writes (and I agree, within limits) that creating a feeling of security is a legitimate goal of government. karrsic goes on to say that government's failure is in not executing that goal effectively.

That's the charitable interpretation, of course. There are at least two other interpretations of the facts, which other letter writers have raised --

First, that government deliberatly wants to increase the citizenry's level of fear. I hope this is false, but fear it may be true.

(Actually, between this explanation and the simpler "incompetence" one, I don't know which is worse -- to think government is so cynical as to want to keep us frightened all the time, or that they're so incompetent they can't distinguish between an emergency and a false alarm... and so shrill they can't project calm and authority, only panic and bluster.)

Second, that what's really going on is CYA on the part of security officials who want to be able to support a claim that they had done all they could when and if the next attack gets through.

Of course, you can pick more than one.

Speaking for myself, I can say that the more freakish "security" procedures are foisted on us, the less safe I feel, because the more I become convinced that nobody with any sense is running the show. (I don't let it keep me up nights, though.) And their protestations to the contrary, I'm not even sure that people who do welcome new procedures feel any better because of them either. In fact, they seem awfully jumpy to me -- and are constantly being encouraged to stay that way.

I'll close with a thanks! to Patrick Smith and Salon for being a voice of sanity. And with the comment that I've just cancelled a business trip next week because it's simply not worth the hassle.

I was already sick and tired of the TSA hassles and gave up flying on business trips for the past year and a half. That saved my employer approximately $10,000.

You see, it's not just that I didn't spend money to fly on filthy planes. I didn't book any hotel rooms. I didn't eat at restaurants. I didn't visit tourist attractions. I didn't buy souvenirs. Get the picture? (No, I didn't develop film or buy postcards, either.)

The newer, more draconian regs just make me less likely to support the "travel industry." Ironically, I'm thinking of cancelling my upcoming first flight in 18 months. What's the irony? I am scheduled to attend a security conference in Lost Wages, sponsored partly by the Department of Homeland Security, who paid my admission! Guess I won't be spending any bucks to watch Cirque du Soleil or Blue Man Group, huh?

It's funny, the Israelis figured it out a long time ago. When I returned from Israel in 1986, the security staff didn't much give a flying falafel what was in my luggage. Two different agants poked and prodded my stuff, all the while asking me questions and looking intently at how I reacted. After both had interviewed me, they stepped aside, compared notes on my answers and let me pass. Total time through security? About a half-hour.

Get real, TSA!