Oh, for pete's sake! I'm an unapologetic "libber," but I'm also realistic, and 5'1" and weigh 130 lbs., and there are bags I couldn't lift because I'm just not that strong. The lady said outright, the bags were too heavy to lift. If her husband is 6'2", weighs 190 and could normally lift those bags, that's not an unnatural or unliberated division of labor. <BR><BR>People seem to want to bash this lady, although I think the treatment of the couple was inexcusable (if she were African-American, would you call it racist?); so if you want to find fault, let's limit it to pointing out she shouldn't pack any bag she can't lift herself.

Without addressing the security issue, let's just call this "the death of service."<BR><BR>At one time, having someone lift your bag for you was considered all part of providing the service. Not anymore, as apparently some posters insist: "Can't lift your bag? Then stay home!"<BR><BR>All I can think of is my 80-year-old mother who likes to hop on a plane once in a while. I guess I'll just tell her that if she can't lift her bag upon command of some 30-year-old security guard, she'll just have to stay home.

Another example, a coworker had to travel to Atlanta on business just last week. (not flying from Boston) He was flying Delta. He also was searched three times. The tagging thing seems to make sense of this. One possible reason, if you had a real terrorist who made it through the first checkpoint they might then think they were home free. Or maybe a cohort might pass them something once they were searched the first time. Seems a good way to keep someone from knowing if they were "clear" or not. Just a thought.

5'1" AND 130 pounds???????<BR><BR>Here's a link you should check out - <BR><BR>www.weightwatchers.com<BR><BR>

I was searched three times on my flight from Boston to Hawaii on Continental. I was on my honeymoon and I believe it was just random, but I had my carry on searched a body search and on the way back they opened our luggage and went through every thing. To Continentals' credit they were professional and repacked my bags better than they were packed originally : ) No big deal, just kind of a hassle.

To Good Sam. Here's a link you should ckeck out:<BR><BR>www.ShallowIdiots..com

How exactly did you get your bags out of the house and all the way to the airport terminal?

Well if she couldn't lift her bag she shouldn't have packed so much!!!! There are ways to travel light.....

Good/Uncle Sam -- Kee-reist! You have no clue, do you? Just haul off and cry "fat and foul". What a knee-jerk jerk. It is ABSOLUTELY none of your business, but my doctor is quite happy with me and my weight. I work out five times a week and walk every day; my blood pressure is quite low, as is my cholesterol; I don't smoke; I wear a petite 10 or, on a bad day, a petite 12. If I have any extra weight, it's in my 36C chest, which I suspect you would applaud. And I'm 58. I'll challenge you to a race up 3 flights of stairs any day! Now put down that beer, clean off your nose, and shut up.

Being a weight watchers member myself, I went to their website which states that Libber is within the range of normal weight for her age and height.

But I wanted to add, I still don't think you should pack more than you can carry. My husband broke his arm on our last vacation and I had to carry both of our bags (I'm 5'5', 116 lbs - thanks weight watchers) so I was glad I resisted the urge to pack everything I own.

Someone asks: How'd they get their bags from the house to the airport.<BR><BR>Uh, let's see. Someone helped them. Boy, that was hard to figure out. Gooood question!

Please, everybody, just calm down. Let me gently remind you that you can't always tell by looking at someone that they have a disability. I am 59 and have fibromyalgia, and I can't lift my carry-on case above my head. I have to depend on the kindness of strangers to help me get it into the overhead bin. (I can't check it for fear of losing my medications). The bag is on rollers, so I can get it from the house and into the car.<BR><BR>To those who are so worried about us "scairdy-cats" who have to have Valium to fly, let me assure you that given the right circumstances, your adrenalin will kick in, and you will be as alert as anyone else. The reason I know this is that I once had to be awake during an eye surgery. Even after 20mg. of Valium, I was still so anxious that I didn't even get drowsy.(One margarita ususlly puts me to sleep.) I wouldn't dream of getting on a plane without a tranquilizer!

What makes you think I am a man?<BR><BR>I am a 33 year old 5'6" 113 pound woman with 34C breasts. Quite the knockout.<BR><BR>I also workout DAILY and would love to accept the stair flights challenge.<BR>Let's meet in Philadelphia at the Art Museum, Rocky.<BR><BR>LOL!!

Hey Good Sam,<BR><BR>Oh, so you are an anorexic beeeotch with an attitude. Take a laxative and a hike.<BR><BR>Hugs and Kisses,<BR>John

All right, opinions please: What do you make of a woman who writes, "I have 34C breasts"?<BR><BR>Similar to a man who says, "I have a 14-inch penis"?<BR><BR>Sam's got a big problem, but it's not her breasts.

ttt

Just flew Airtran from Orlando to Rochester NY and back. Was a a great flight on a brand spanking-new Boeing 717. Flight was ontime. Staff was friendly. Ticket was cheap. Seats were extra roomy. All is good with Airtran in my book.

Last week boarding a USAir flight from Charlotte to Phoenix I was pulled out of the line at the gate. I was wanded, Patted down(from the knees down), and asked to take a drink from my bottled water that had already been opened. The young woman who "searched" me was extremely professional. I did not complain - she did a thorough job. By the way I am 55 years old, dress conservatively and have snow white hair - I was simply the 8th person in line and that was how I got picked. I complimented her on her thoroughness and she thanked me for my cooperation - seems most people just complain.

What an angry, sad society we live in.