OK folks, it's been one hell of a long day, the boss got me out of bed at 3 this morning, and we've been at it all day up until about an hour ago.
Without getting into a bunch of stuff I can't talk about, which is MUCHO! I'll try to sort out a thing or two.
1. The items in question were normal items you might travel with, just not much reason to have in your carry-on.
2. Yes, TSA(Thousands Searching Aimlessly) is having a serious knee-jerk right now. The powers that be don't want to listen to those of us that know about these things. That being said, we ARE wearing them down, now that their panic attack is beginning to subside, and I believe that you should see some more finite instructions as to what can and cannot fly with in the next couple of days.
3. The dropping of inflight beverages and meals (if it happened) is localized and temporary at the most. They better get that stuff back on, I'm flying soon too!
Gimme my nuts! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
4. As for the tasting of formula, do you have a better short term solution? We did, and got Ph sampling kit's out to as many security points as we could. Most formula's are going to stay around the neutral side, explosives normally will go higher or lower, depending on the type.

Sorry if anyone here feels that their rights are being trampled upon by the big bad government. I'm not with TSA or even DHS, but I do help advise them in technical matters. One thing we are trying to do is save lives, if you don't like what we're doing, I'll bet there is a suggestion box somewhere near the screening point, come up with a better idea, that is doable, and we'll take it into consideration.

(initiate soapbox mode)
Folks, I'm sorry, but I get a little P.O.'d when people want to be safe, but they don't want to be inconvenienced! I've been chasing these B!@#$%^s for fifteen years now, since long before "IED" and "terrorist cell" were used by the everyday American citizen. The liberal news media, Western Governments and yes, the America people ignored the problem when we tried to tell you. We've fought this war in the shadows far away from the suburbs and white picket fences since '72, and terrorism was just something that happened in other places and couldn't happen here!
Well guess what? It's here America, wake up and smell the TNT!
I agree that the only rules here are the only rules in a point blank gunfight! Kill them before they kill us! But I don't make policy, I just enforce it. If I did, the world would have a few hundred million less people on it. Maybe a good idea that I don't
(deactivate soapbox mode)
Sorry Martin, I just soapboxed all over your post. Nothing personal everybody. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

A buddy of mine just took over training their worthless assed screeners in proper techniques last week. Let me tell you, he's in a ugly spot right now, he had to fly to DC this morning. Nobody would listen to what he had to say last week, this week seems to be a different story.

I agree with a bunch of you, I would prefer to fly armed as well (I do when I'm on the job). But think about all the dorks and gangbangers out there that couldn't hit the broadside of a barn from the inside with a pistol they have never fired...

Now make them very nervous, and put them on your plane!
<img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I put down about 200-300rds a week with my SIG, and I'll tell you, I'd feel pretty hesitant to take a shot on a crowded plane, how about the rest of you?

Folk's, this was to be a big hit, and the country is growing more and more complascent by the day. In my line of work, complacency kills!

Sorry if I stepped on any toes, I didn't mean to, but like I said, It's been a long day.

Mike