[CarrotAndStick]

You really can't tell much these days by names. These peoples' names may sound Hindu, but there is no telling whether they are converts or not. There was an Australian, one David Hicks who was so indoctrinated, he was fighting India in Kashmir, for the Pakistanis.

I agree these people here don't exactly fit the profile of a terrorist, at age 64 and above, but still, one can't be too careful.

[CT-Freeper]

I agree these people here don't exactly fit the profile of a terrorist, at age 64 and above, but still, one can't be too careful.

Valid point...I am in no way arguing that these men were not terrorists, or could not have been terrorists. I was just pointing out that they might not have been related, because Patel is a common Indian surname -- a pretty insignificant argument, I realize.

[maine-iac7]

I agree these people here don't exactly fit the profile of a terrorist, at age 64 and above

well, just geeezeum. I wish someone had clued in the handlers at the Portland airport on my recent flight.

I'm a white haired ole white gramma in my 70's and caused a big stir with my carry-on.

As it went through the machine...it was stopped, peered at closely, then first one then the head honcho was called to look.

Everyone is now gawking.

Head honcho: "Whose bag is this!"

"Ah, Mine."

"Come with me!" (not even a please)

HH puts bag on table and demands:

"Open it!"

By now all eyes are on old gramma and I am wondering "What the heck do they think they see?"

HH rifles through my bag and comes up with the dangerous articles. (Now keep in mind that this is the same week, last July, that you are once again allowed to carry cigarette lighters on board...even tho' you can't smoke on board)

HH - gruffly, in his most puffed up authoritative manner: "You can't take these on board!"

"These" were two factory wrapped boxes of tube watercolors 1/4 oz.

My mind not connecting to the reasoning, I blurted out: " But I have too, they're for my grandkids."

HH, not impressed; "You CANNOT take these on board!"

With visions of being cuffed and hauled off to a back room, I said:"But I can't arrive with presents for all but two grandkids!"

HH repeats his demand.

I answer: Well, I can't leave them here!.

HH then backs down a bit and says: "Then you'll have to go back downstairs and put the bag through there - you can't take it on board..."

Fortunately, I was at the airport early enough to leave security, go down and stand in line to check the bag through, go back up and go thru' security again and not miss my flight.

So I guess the Portland honchos didn't get the memo re age etc...