I just came back from Israel 2 days ago. To show how insane TSA rules are, I submit the following. First, before I get to the ticket counter, I am questioned by an Israeli security agent, very normal procedure. Both my check on and carry on go through an x-ray machine. Afterwards, obtain boarding pass. Next to the departure area, and again through a metal detector. Final stop, immigration, then departure terminal. Again, normal for Israel. When I get to the departure area, an announcement is made. All passengers departing on either Continental or Delta, are prohibited from carrying any liquids over 3 oz in their bags. This does not apply to El Al or other airlines with destinations other than the USA. Mind you, I have been through security twice, and even if the liquids are purchased at an airport shop or duty free, I cannot carry them on the plane!

This is insane! I can buy water in an airport terminal in the US and take it on the plane, but I cannot do so in Israel. The bigger insanity is that when I arrive in Newark, I must go through customs and immigration, recheck my bag, and go through security again at the Newark terminal for the domestic leg of my trip. I could not have gotten off my Israel flight and then taken the water in no matter how I tried. I have had the same experience with liquids in Buenos Aires, Santo Domingo, and Panama City, Panama. Of course, if I am not going to the US, the additional security does not apply. The TSA is a hidebound bureaucracy that has insane rules with no rhyme, reason, or thought. That is why no one respects them. Changing their uniforms will not create respect. Thoughtful regulations, and proper, courteous behavior by TSA agents would do the trick-I don't expect that they will ever do this, as the people who run this agency have no clue about what they are doing, or what real security means.

I experienced the same thing with a dangerously serrated knife. When I pointed out that the above mentioned dangerously serrated knife was an airline butter "knife" that I had for years was from the same carrier and had their logo on it, I had just gotten off of internationally and would be getting back on the same carrier shortly. That was the point for me when I knew the TSA had truly jumped the shark.

I'm going to be flying internationally in the fall, but for the rest of it, I don't just don't feel like flying any more.

Seriously? It will never stop. The TSA is the Fat Fucks Who Are Too Fucking Dumb Drunk And Obese To Be Allowed To Stroke Their Fantasies With Whatever Police Force Doesn't Want Them, Full Employment Act of 2001 and Forever.

If ever there was a reason to strangle someone with piano wire it's those assholes.

My last flight was in August 2006. Previously, I was a business traveler who racked up 300 to 500 thousand miles a year. I took a career hit to be able to opt out of this insane, fascist system.

My next flight will be international. And one-way.

I am one of those airline employees you refer to that gets almost zero screening. The whole TSA security system is such a joke because of glaring loopholes, inconsistencies, and nonsensical policies.

I remember almost two years ago when the liquid ban first went into place. Not 3.5oz, but the total ban, which lasted for a few days before the TSA managed to at least gain a sliver of rationality. I was up in the gate area and I saw a pilot furiously arguing with some TSA "officers" about her coffee, which she had purchased at the airport, not being allowed on the plane! Like what Mr. Smith encountered at the security checkpoint, after much arguing the pilot was forced to give up her coffee and board, coffee-less and defeated.

Unfortunately I've come to learn through my travel experiences that it's just easier to grin and bare it, rather than trying to reason with the unreasonable.

This sounds like something from "The Onion", but then so did the camaras that look through clothing idea. Aaargh. If anything will stop me from flying, this is it. If you think about it, this kind of technology in the wrong hands could actually enable terrorists to disable all of the passengers on a plane so that they could do whatever they wanted.

TSA = Tough shit, asshole...

When the village idiot became President and proposed the Department of Homeland Security I got an uneasy feeling. That feeling continues today only more so. Just in case you haven't been paying attention the TSA is getting incrementally worse. They now have millimeter wave length type viewers that can see through your clothes. That horse has left the barn but no one is telling these people. They have way too much money to spend with under trained and poorly managed staff and nobody seems to like them. There education is limited and most staff is lacking in any semblance of professionalism. This department is the brain child of George W, Bush so their poor performance serves as a good symbol for his presidency. Vote this fall and take the train

This is what airline travellers have to go through routinely.

I'm still looking for my shoes. The upside is, there will be a lot fewer of them in future. United just announced that it's tacking a hundred dollar fee onto anyone who tries to redeem frequent flier miles, the only thing that keeps the industry going. As always, others are expected to follow suit.

And it just goes on. And down. Not something you should say when talking about airplanes.

I grew up surrounded with the fear of Communism taking over the American way of life. Fall out shelters, drills, reporting "suspicious persons", loyalty oaths, you name it.

When I was a little older a teacher talked about the theory of Communism and the practice of Communism. The practice of it by most countries left a lot to be desired. One habit of the Soviet Union that was always pointed out was the total "gaslighting" of its citizenry with onerous and pointless rules, laws and regulations.

So here we are in 2008, a theoretical Democracy with a practicing Communist regime in everyday life.

I'm sometimes irritated by Smith's articles about the TSA, but I have to admit that somebody jumping up and down and shouting, "This is f***ked up, this is crazy" is sometimes needed before we become totally brainwashed.