Well, as of yesterday's return to Chicago from Albany, I now can report on specific experience with "holiday" TSA rules. And while I still consider the whole set of "anti-terror" practices unconstitutional, intrusive, and generally appalling, honesty compels me to admit that *my* personal experience was of TSA employees that were individually and collectively pleasant, polite, and professional.

Thuji and I got the full TSA search at the airport. He was just fine as I carried him through the scanner. But then the TSA person said that since I had been holding my dog, she had to test my hands with something like a Q-tip. I don't know if this was because people carrying pets are expected to be drug dealers or something, but all three of us (me, Thuji, and the aent) surprised when the machine used to test the swab reported "possible explosive residue" (I could see the report screen). So a couple more TSA agents were called over. The original agent searched Thuji gently, while the others took everything out of my bag and carrier for detailed search. After that was done, I, my dog and his carrier, and the bins with everything else, all got taken into a separate room. A fourth agent, this one both bigger and taller than me believe it or not, next explained in detail what he would be doing ("this explanation will actually take longer than the procedure"),, then gently patted pretty much every part inch of me (through my clothes and behind the waistband of my pants). Then he went off to test his gloves to see if they showed residue. That test came back negative and we were allowed to go and re-pack my bags.

Whole thing took probably 15 minutes (seemed like longer, but it really was quite efficient and quick). And I have to stress every one of the TSA people was completely polite and professional. No macho. No power trips. No sanctimonious "it's for your own safety" or arrogant "you don't have a choice" or condescending "it's just my job." Just professional, treating it seriously, but not treating us like we were scumbags or things to be manipulated.

As everyone knows, I'm not a fan at all of the rigamarole -- I think its unconstitutional, silly, and has no serious safety-improving effect. But I had absolutely no issues with the people I dealt with at the Albany airport.

Thuji of course handled it all like a trooper, watching everything with his little head sticking out of his carrier, only trying to crawl out when I was putting by shoes and belt back on.

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awww...thuji's home! i want pics posted asap my friend!

glad they didn't feel you up too much & that your experience was decent with TSA.

can't wait to see pics of Quickie!!

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Wade was the one who got the quickie.

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With a name like "Thuji" he is probably automatically placed on the terrorist watch list.

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My experience with Albany airport-

5 years ago I went through the Albany airport with my Dad, a couple of brothers and nephew. We took Dad to Cooperstown to see the HoF before he died. It was one of the last trips Dad was able to take.

We stayed overnight in Cooperstown had a great time and then we came back to Albany to fly back into Chicago. While going through security they of course scanned all the bags. I was sitting down the way putting my shoes back on and waiting for my bag to come down the line. The rest of my group was already walking away. I was the last of the group and we were hurrying to get to the gate. We had taken longer to get through the whole process because Dad was in a wheelchair (Airport's) and walked with a metal cane. He could barley walk and they were making him go through the scan without his cane. I guess several of his sons were a little pissed that they were doing that. O'Hare let him sit in the wheelchair while they used the wand on his upper body and then let him stand and hold his cane while they quickly scanned his legs. NOT ALBANY. We were not allowed to help him walk the 10 feet over to and through the scanner. (I contend we should be able to walk him through. If we had something on us and the alarm sounds then have us go through again separately. If not what difference does it make if one or two people walk through together?)

Anyhow back the bags- The machines are all on making their usual squeaky wheel noises. Air is blowing through the airport. PA system is going, people talking- all the regular noises in an airport. I hear a TSA agent 20 feet away calling to me about my bag. I couldn't hear what they were saying so I asked them again. He held up a 4 pack of fruit cups. I forget what kind. I think they were diced peaches and little cream of some kind in the bottom. They were yelling at me at it was an illegal item because of the stuff in the bottom. I didn't have much time so I hollered to keep them or throw it away if they wanted to. I had to keep going to catch the plane. As I grabbed my bag I looked back and shouted (Noisy environment not anger), "It's funny that an airport as large as O'Hare saw them and passed them as being safe but little Albany considered a fruit cup to be dangerous". I was glad they didn't pull me back to an extra check just to make me miss my flight. They did/do have a ban on creme or gelatin or something like that but before I left I went to the TSA sight and looked and this was not on that list. The substance in my fruit cup was acceptable.

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Several points. Most importantly, I'm glad you got home fine Wade with Thuji. =d>

Very glad you decided to get another dog. It's probably several years overdue.

Now onto the TSA. You have to ask 2 important questions:
1) Is it Constitutional?
2) Is it a wise use of our taxpayers' money?

The answers for both obviously are "no."

I'd love to see someone take over a plane with a fruit cup. That person would be my hero.

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not quite home..still in mt prospect....home tomorrow.

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make sure you get quickie home safely

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I'd argue no on point 1, point 2 is a much more complicated question that requires us to answer if the TSA and new screening procedures have singlehandedly thwarted terrorist attacks, and what value you place on that.