My wife and I just came back from a vacation to Punta Cana, DR.<BR><BR>Leaving Philadelphia, as we were at the ticket counter, my wife was informed that she was "selected." Her checked bag was emptied and searched. As we were about to board the plane, she was again selected. Her carry-on was emptied, she was passed over with a wand, and patted down. Don't you feel better knowing that the skies are safe from old ladies with grey hair?<BR><BR>As we were leaving Punta Cana, we put our two carry-ons on the counter to be checked. The only thing that the checker did, believe it or not, was to closely examine the banana and completely unwrap and inspect our two cheese sandwiches which we had packed for our wait in the airport. I guess he wanted to make sure that the cheese was not sharp. And he then asked why there was no meat in the sandwich.<BR><BR>Doesn't that make you feel secure?<BR>

As secure as having this fat 56 year old's cigarette lighter confiscated in Boston (I could set the plane on fire with it). Somehow, my husband got through with 2 lighters. But they made him start his laptop computer.

This is a very good example of the farce that passes for "security", and the main reason I won't be flying untol the hysteria dies down.

I'll add my favorite security story.<BR><BR>In Toronto an aquaintance of mine had a cork screw confiscated by security only to have an eight inch metal fork handed to us with our airline meal!<BR><BR>There is no consistancy since 9/11. At some airports I am asked to turn on my laptop while at other airports they don't even ask about it. The same with my cell phone. Frankly I feel like the security at airports has become a token gesture to make us all feel better about flying.

Rita and others,<BR><BR>Have you considered writting, faxing or emailing your senators and representatives with your concerns? How about the FAA, DOJ, DOT, and Transportation Safety Committe, and the Homeland Security??? <BR><BR>That is what we are doing, and if the consumer would do it also, maybe they would wake up, get a clue, and get on the ball. <BR><BR>Now to those who detest me, go ahead and flame away, I have my fireproof suit on ready for it. lol

Right on, Penny! I just don't understand these people that go off the deep end just because someone dares to point out that "the emperor has no clothes." Speaking of which, I just couldn't understand the reaction of the congressman that was recently strip-searched at an airport because the well educated and professional "security" didn't understand the concept of an artificial hip. He just seemed to shrug it off like no big deal. If this is to be accepted as standard operating proceedure, it will be even longer before I will fly again.

Yes Penny I have already gone that route but thanks for pointing it out. If more people complained to the right people perhaps something will happen. Like you I am concerned about our flight safety. However up here in "cold Canada" our airline consumer advocate has been overwhelmed with disgruntled passengers complaining about Air Canada's service (as you are a travel agent you will know that we now only have one airline) and I fear the safety complaints have been mixed with the service ones.

Rita,<BR><BR>I am not that familar with Canada. I only know it is at the top of my list of places to visit before I die. lol<BR><BR>But, I know here, they like to keep the issues confused in the hopes people will just forget about it, because it becomes to much of a hassel.<BR><BR>For the US readers here, I have posted the address to the Dept. of Transportation so that you can email your complaints, concerns, or compliments to them:<BR><BR>[email protected]<BR>< BR><BR>

This is an addition to my original post.<BR><BR>On the way back from PC to Philly, we had to stop in Baltimore to let people off. We all had to get off the plane, go through customs, then reboard through security. While waiting by the metal detector, several pilots and stewardesses wanted to get through. A few of the stewardesses, all with proper ID, were made to take off their shoes for xray exam. And a young couple with a 3 year old and a baby were made to put their stroller through the xray.<BR><BR>This reminds me of the story about Soviet era factory production requirements. A nail factory had to produce 1 million pounds of nails every year. Since it was easier to produce larger nails, they made 1 million one pound nails, which were useless, rather then many more smaller nails.<BR><BR>If the present security regulations are supposed to make flying any safer, I don't believe it. <BR><BR>If they are supposed to make me FEEL any safer, they surely don't. <BR><BR>It is politically correct regulatory imbicility.

If I were you, I'd look at the new US DOT organizational structure - and instead of wasting your time with FAA, try the new DOT security agency - perhaps they will listen to you (while they're still young). FAA WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOU!! They never have sided with the traveller - instead they cozied up to the airlines to stave off new security in favor of healthy bottomlines. FAA is a huge joke, so bad a joke that the former DOT Inspector General stayed on their collective asses her entire tenure - to no avail. As one example of the FAA in action - I give you stronger cockpit doors. And I think you know what I mean. Now, if some wish to disagree, I'll be happy to read your defense of the FAA. For the others, try contacting the Senate Commerce Committee with your concerns - the FAA has budget and authorization hearings, and they do respond to the Members who vote their laws and money. Good luck. Ciao