I've flown that much or more since 9-11. The security varies from airport to airport. I've taken off my shoes in most. Had all the extra searches. Recently left a knife in one carry-on. Security guy watched my bags while I went out, mailed it home and came back. That was cool. Before 9-11, whenever I had stuff broken or screwed up, I got pissed, got make-goods from the airline and chalked it up to some moke in the back who wasn't careful with my stuff. That same moke and mokes like him or her are obviously still there - in this case, making stupid political comments. I don't see these incidents as part of a greater insidious government conspiracy - just business as usual, only a lot tenser. I think Ian's perspective is on the money.