One of the problems with the security checks in airports is that they are looking for items like razor knives and "shoe bombs" or the like -- not people carrying pistols.

So, the screening has become invasive if not merely an inconvenience.

This fall when I was in eastern Europe this year I booked some trains first class for short distance travel (express trains) -- it was better than standing in line in an airport departure point and waiting for my baggage at the arrival point. Was much less stressful. However, for longer distances you have no choice.

It is hard to consider the frequency of airline terrorism today as we have little to compare it to. The game changed with 9/11 but our solution is draconian -- in that aspect the terrorist achieved a total victory in making us fear for our lives and harassed by our own fears, and that my friends, is a major goal of terrorism.

The TSA should lighten up and be trained to converse and observe passengers and be selective in their procedures rather than some of them behaving like rent-a-cops or worse, Nazi wannabes, taking themselves too seriously. I have had occasion to converse with some of these TSA agents in a friendly situation and 25% of them are decent people but most need an attitude adjustment -- but harassing the public daily as part of their job has its affect I suppose.