He wrote in 2004:
"I'm unsure which would be the better quotation to drop here, Franklin's famous bit about sacrificing liberty for safety, or maybe something more ornery from HL Mencken. Whichever old sage would be more appalled by the goings on, we're more than happy to empty our pockets, rat out our neighbors, pull down our pants. Enough of us, at least, to keep the beast fed and happy. This is what we want: if it equates to safer flying, or more accurately the perception of it, by all means, yes, x-ray my Nikes and take my nailclippers. The TV cameras and newspapers have quoted us time and time again, acquiescing with a sigh: "Well, it sucks, but if it makes flying safer I'm all for it."
This made think (yeah, thinking again). Since most intelligent people realize that typical U.S. screening is basically for show, why do we continue to participate? To fly, right? To take our important business trips, right? To get where you want/need to go.
But, what if we refuse to take off our shoes, take off our belts, jackets, or empty pockets? I don't mean in a belligerent manner. But in a very nice and sweet, and genuinely deferential manner? After all, the mopes are simply doing their jobs (or "following orders" if you will). One would simply fail (or decline) the level one screening. Politely decline if you can. Explain that rather than suffer or endure public humiliation that you'd rather participate in one-on-one and private screening. In fact, you would feel and be several percentage points safer.
By bogging down the system, we not only take back control of the process (while making it much safer in reality). Make 'em work for you rather than the other way around. Slow it down to a crawl. Sure it's 15 minutes you're not gonna ever get back, but you own the high ground.
Sure, there will be occasions where a screener will freak. Explain to the supervisor that you are bashful and a little OCD and that taking off your shoes in public is embarrassing. Suggest that you are very frightened of athlete's foot. Explain that the last time you took off your watch, it wound up missing. Explain that if you took off your belt your pants would fall down and that you may be wearing underwear with holes. You once put your jacket through and it got all ripped up.
Have no problem with your laptop (that belongs to your employer) or your bag going through the X-ray. Keep your valuables in your pocket.
What if we took back our dignity?
