So I've been doing some traveling the last couple weeks, with more to come, and I am getting pretty weary of the entire strip-search airport routine. But I've learned to deal with it and have the process down to a science, more or less. Dump keys, phone, glasses and anything else metal into computer bag. Pull out laptop and any other devices, take off shoes and belt and jacket and place on conveyor. If I'm flying alone, prepare for additional search of bags. If I'm flying alone on a one way ticket, prepare for a double search. Then once I'm through, allow five minutes to pull everything together again.
Part of me is okay with this. When I fly, I'd just as soon have some assurance that the guy next to me isn't packing heat. But it does seem invasive, and I am a little irritated at how passively I've accepted this new protocol.
I was an airport yesterday and watched an older fellow refuse to accept the protocol. He did not want the infamous "crotch search" and was making quite a scene. At first, since this was holding up the line, I was a little annoyed. Then I caught myself and sort of admired the guy for standing up for his rights. Though as I was leaving, he was being mega-wanded for metal so I'm not sure exactly what his protest gained him... but crotch searches? Really? *Sigh*...
