Sunday, March 3rd, I arrived at the airport around 11:30 for my scheduled 2pm flight. Wanted to give myself plenty of time. The baggage checkin line was long, especially for this small airport. Took about 20 minutes for the line to get me to the front and me to get the bags checked and get my boarding pass. Now off to the security checkpoint. Photo ID and boarding pass please. No problem. I took everything off (jacket, cell phone, purse, and backpack) and placed it to be X-rayed. No problem. Walked thru the scan, again no problem. After sitting at the gate for about an hour, an elderly lady was wondering where she could go smoke. Before 9-11 you had to go outside the front of the airport. I told her that if she found a place that I would escort her. She did and I did. Luck would have it that it was just outside the security checkpoint. No problem the first time so I figured no problem the second time. Photo ID and boarding pass please. Once again the near complete strip down. I passed thru the machine and it went off. Over to the right. The wand didn't pick up anything, so now came the patdown. Belt buckle, could you please undo that? Gots to get a good feel of the zipper and around the back. Nothing there. Maybe she is wearing an underwire bra? Gots to check that real good. Nothing there. Pat down the crotch and legs. Still nothing. I told the lady that I had metal in my foot so she goes to wand my feel. Sides first then bottom. Nothing showed. I was starting to wonder if they were going to really strip search me, but she passed the wand over the top of my foot and it went off. I offered to show her the fresh scar, but she told me to go on. I guess the second time thru the machine I must have lifted my foot up just enough for the detectors to notice it. I sat down and didn't get up until time to get on the plane. Dallas, we didn't leave the security area but had a ton of walking to do due to a change in the gate of my departing flight and their 'train' was being worked down. A concourse to B is a long walk.

Thursday, March 7th, so glad to be going home with a little extra Vegas money in my pocket. Got to the airport and there was a 45 minute baggage check in. Ouch! One of the people which went with our group was a native from India. Because of his nationality, they performed 'a random bag search'. He was in good spirits as they tossed his used underwear around. He joked that it was all done because he was special. Now to the checkpoint! Damn the line was at least a quarter mile long and 4 people wide. Photo ID and boarding pass please. No problem. I wanted to glue it to my cheek by this time. Finally after an eternity of standing behind a 7' man with gas (think his rear was just about my nose level), I was at the machine. Take off coat, purse, phone, backpack and walk thru. No problem until I get on the other side. Could you please step to the right? You've been selected to do a random bag check. Please place everything on the table and sit in the chair and put your shoes on the table. No problem. I was in good spirits and could tell he was bored stiff. I dumped my stuff on the table, sat down and stuck my feet up. He said "Ma'am without your feet. He swabbed everything down to check for explosives. While he was doing my shoes, I asked him if he would put a shine on my sneakers. He laughed. I thanked him for doing his job. At the gate, one last bag check. Everything out. Boy, my backpack was filled with gifts from M&M world. Glad they got everything back in.

All in all, it was a pain. It could have been worse and I was really glad to get home. I thanked each and every one of them for doing their job.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2002

Answers

Sounds like fun. NOT!

Staying in a good mood must have been a little tough. Imagine having to travel for work a couple times a week. It's gotta get to ya eventually.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2002

Sweetie had to go to Houston last week and left yesterday for another week. (Yes, they keep saying he's going to be laid off but could he just do one more week or so?) So far, no "random check," but you can tell it's getting real old.

Glad you were in good humor--I imagine those checkers don't get much of it these days!

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2002

Keep talking please!!! You have ALMOST got me convinced it is safe to fly down and see my grandchildren. Sounds like the security is exactly what I want them to be doing if I am going to fly.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2002

diane,

I never felt anything but safe. When you fly, just be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you may be standing for a while depending on the airports that you'll use.

Remember in all the trouble that those people are just doing their job to make sure that flights are safe. Enjoy your trip!

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2002

And clean socks too! ;)

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

Old Git,

With the long days of standing and walking, it really don't matter if you have clean socks when you start. Those dogs be barking in a couple of hours.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

I've given up on airplanes for awhile. I got a guide book for WV and plan to do some early season camping -- try out my three seasons tent. (he-he)

OG, I'm not going to make it to NC this trip, but it's on the list. I need at least a week, but right now it looks like I'm only going to have 3-4 days.

Glad your foot is okay, Apoc. Two months ago, that trip would've been a major struggle for you.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

I am glad you are home and safe!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

Meemur,

Who said anything about my foot? Oh my gosh, it got so huge while there. I had a doctor's appointment the day after I returned. The X- ray's showed that I did a small amount of damage to the foot due to the swelling. The bone where he cut it, and inserted the screws, now has a small crack along the cut line. It hadn't shown any lines on the last X-rays in February. Oh well... Still in sneakers cause of the slight setback, but that's okay.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002

Oh my! Guess you put your foot in it this time!

Someone should put their foot down and make you take it easy.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2002