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As an FAA safety inspector I can sympathize with the pilot in this article. Although we are screened, fingerprinted and given background checks before being hired we must still go through this foolish and demeaning "security" process. Many times I am stopped because I am carrying a bottle or two of water and the same scenario the pilot describes starts to unfold. It usually takes a discussion with a supervisor to educate the screener that there is a TSA Security Directive (SD-1544-06-01C) that tells these cretins that FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors & flight crews are exempt from the 3 oz. rule. There are many of the TSA people and have a sense of humour and realize that they are working at a better paying job than flipping burgers at McDonalds. But unfortunately, there are a few who are on apower trip or perhaps they have no control of anyting in their lives so they try to control everthing else to compensate. Or perhaps they are like so many cops, they are just bullies and they can hide behind a badge or government agency to allow them to satisfy their perverted needs. Mr. Pilot, I feel for you brother, maybe someday some future administration will realize we don't need a police state and stop all this foolishness.
