[quidnunc]

But when all is said and done TAS is hassling people who do not deserve to be hassled for no other reason than to demonstrate that they are even-handed and not engaging in racial profiling.

The Israelis have offered to train our people in their security methods, but so far we have declined the offer.

Unlike us the Israelis don't look for contraband so much as they look for terrorists, but this involves profiling so we probably won't do it no matter how effective it might be.

[MineralMan]

"But when all is said and done TAS is hassling people who do not deserve to be hassled for no other reason than to demonstrate that they are even-handed and not engaging in racial profiling. "

Depends on your definition of "hassling." Since I fly a lot, I've been subject to more than a few extra security inspections. I've been wanded, patted down, and had my carryon searched thoroughly and padded down to check for explosive residues.

None of this ever took more than 5 minutes, and I didn't consider it being "hassled." It all appeared to be at random, since I didn't beep any beepers or anything else. Within five minutes, I was always on my way to the gate.

I've had to take my shoes off, before I switched to moccasins for travelling. I've had to demonstrate that my laptop worked, along with a cell phone, a GPS receiver, and even a portable DVD player. Hassled? Not really. I just turned the things on, and the screener was satisfied that the things worked.

I've been lightly frisked, when the buttons on my 501's triggered the metal detector. Now I wear a running suit. No metal on it.

What I haven't been was hassled. I've been screened, according to the rules of the TSA's screening policies. No biggie. When the screening was over, I said, "Thanks" to the screener, then went to the gate and got on my plane.