C'mon, its not all bad. Like the time flying home out of Heathrow, the line through the barrier was at least an hour, until a TSA (UK) inspector came along, spotted my laptop, and motioned me ahead to try out their new full body xray. In return for zapping my laptop and my body with an indeterminate dose of xrays, I saved an hour waiting my turn for a standard inspection.

I understand I can get the same xray treatment at least 3-4 times a year before I start to act funny and lose my sperm count.

One of the great side benefits of TSA is down in Auburn WA, where they sell off the take from unwitting travellers. You don't have to go to eBay, 5-10 minutes pawing through a barrel of sharps you can find a very nice knife for pennies on the dollar.

I'm a natural sheep, I've never had a problem with TSA. I'm almost OCD pre-flight as I'm patting myself down for metal and sharp thingies. The whole process makes me sentimental for my days as a customs broker, when Customs agents would fumble through passports, not even looking at the docs, just waiting for someone to flinch. I see the same training going on with today's TSA. My advice, relax, and just let it wash over you.