Since my "Equipped to Fly Coach" post back in April, I've been back and forth to San Francisco 3 times, and have had other travel adventures.

As I had mentioned earlier, I carry a first aid kit. In that kit are blunt tip scissors and hemostats. They always spot them on the Xray, and always dig them out. This last trip to CA for a 4 hour meeting there, I clipped my scissors and hemostats to the OUTSIDE of my carry on bag with a carabiner. This was hailed as a "brilliant solution" by one of the guards, and it cut a full 10 minutes off my trip through security.

Another tip on the shipping stuff ahead idea:
I'm now shipping a Pelican Case ahead instead of a cardboard box. It's worth the extra 3 to 5 dollars in shipping costs becase it's waterproof, lockable and most importantly, it's durable. On this last trip, for a variety of complex and strange reasons, I was forced to check the pelican case as luggage. No worry there. As the usual mashed-up bags came out, there was my Pelican Case all nice and solid. The TSA goons didn't even steal anything from it, a welcome change of pace, given that I've had stuff stolen several times from checked bags.

Now, now, Martin, I'm absolutely sure that if you had anything stolen out of your luggage by the screenerNazis, it was because you really didn't need it. After all, they are the government - they know best. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I'm curious, has the increase in airport security had any effect on luggage theft? I thought maybe the presence of tougher security personnel would make stealing more difficult for thieves (unless, of course, they are one in the same). In the late '90s I used to watch a lot of 20/20, and they covered the problem of luggage theft many times. Post 9/11 I've heard nothing on the subject.

Ah, -So X Number of Individual TSA Personnel so Steal?! Not Exactly Surprising, -But Still!..... Not Exactly a Good Reflection on They! Regarding What Number of them Do!

Such Parts of our Government, -Suppossedly and Actually There to Serve and Protect U.S., -are Actually so Disserving U.S.! Speaking of Protection, -in these Cases, -This is What we Need Protection *From*!

I'm All For the War on Terror! This Fight and Effort For our Very National Survival!

But Since When Does that Include!, -Theft of "We the People's" Legitimate, NON Terror Connected, -Personal Baggage and Belongings by Some! In or Ostensibly Within that Process?! My Government here Deserves a Scolding, Chiding, and Constructive Criticism! And I so Give It!

They Too Have a Decision to Make!, -As to Who it is! That They are Charged to Serve and Protect!, in the First Place!

"Remember of Where You are From! / What You are All About!" This of course is Not Only our Fight Against Terror! Of Which Indeed it Certainly Is! But Also About All Proper and Professional Service to your People! Of and From Which you and your Charge are From!

Come On! -Don't Here Reflect Badly Back On Yourself!, -Embarrass me!, -Cause me to Regrettably Have to say This!

And Great For the Many Many of you who Don't Ever Do Any Such Thing! And Otherwise Do your Job So Well!

Reminds me of the Lines, -"Absolute Power Sometimes Corrupts Absolutely!" And "A Government Big and Powerful Enough to Give you Everything you Want!, -Is Also One Big and Powerful Enough to Take Away from You Everything You Have!"

Come On! Quit!, -If Only via a Few Bad Name Apples!, -Giving Yourself such a Bad Name / Impression / Reputation! BE my Government that I as a Citizen and Taxpayer have Designated! BE so Truly At my Protection and Service!

Find the True and Dangerous Contraband! NOT Totally Unrelated Items From MY and the Next Guy or Gal's Ordinary Luggage! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]Christina[/email]

You answered your own question - "unless, of course, they are one and the same." This is yet another thing the TSA doesn't want to talk about - national security, you know?