Not Any Better
Final note on flying in the U.S. We've all adjusted, more or less to the b.s. now inherent in getting on an airplane. I don't fly with change or a lighter or keys in my pocket. I don't wear a belt. I wear tennis shoes (sneakers for fellow Jersey-ites). I remove my laptop from the case well before I get to the x-ray machine.
At LAX I showed my passport and boarding pass to three people all within 30 feet of each other. There was no way to bypass any of them without another noticing, not to mention the other folks standing in line. I put my stuff on the conveyor and prepared to step through the metal detector. They made me take off my sneakers. My Damned Sneakers! This set me off. Which is another thing you're not supposed to do at the airport.
After voicing my dissatisfaction to all involved, just short of yelling or swear words. I looked at a woman putting on her sneakers on the other side and said something on the order of, "this is too much." She looked at me with actual disdain and said, "No, it's not."
I disagree. Five years after the attacks and TSA still hasn't gotten its shit together. One of the nice ladies that examined my ticket and passport directed me to the shortest line for the inspection, which happened to contain a family with kids and strollers. Ten minutes we waited while they folded, disrobed and did a virtual Texas two-step through the "security." The woman actually had to extend the baby out in front of her in her arms to pass through the detector. This is humiliating and idiotic. Sorry, I still don't feel safer with these Keystone Cops antics. Somebody's got to get a grownup involved here one of these days.
