Since when is flying a constitutionally guaranteed right? The airlines offer a service. If you choose to use their service you have to abide by their rules. If you don't want to leave your precious hair gel, shampoo, and other items in your check through bag, then don't fly. We all have a choice, fly and follow the rules or don't fly. Seems simple enough to me. I am still free to make that choice so therefore, none of my rights have been infringed upon. I am frustrated by people who mistake conveniences and priveledges for rights, traveling by air is not a right.

In response to the comment about seperating people on to seperate planes. Thats a wonderful plan. Ill take the chance in exchange for the right to maintain my freedom. To freely do we give up what is dear to this contry in order to be more "secure". The cost is not worth it, and to those that say it makes them safer, guess what, if you beileve that I have waterfront property in arizona to sell you. Dont always believe what the government tells you.

Yes, I do have the right not to fly, I can drive my car from Phoenix to LA for about the same money as flying, of course this adds more traffic, burns more fuel (the plane goes whether I'm on it or not) and restricts my freedom of choice of transportation.
Why check luggage for a 1 hour flight when I'm staying overnight and only bringing toiletries? You want me to check luggage, improve the system. If I checked a bag on that one hour flight I would get it 30-45 minutes AFTER I got off of the plane...assuming it wasn't lost, damaged or sent to another city. But maybe you are right.. slow down America, drive everywhere, without restriction, at least that is still my right in this country.

Quote: "safe and alive or wreckless and dead"

Check yourself into a state prison buddy, you'll be nice and safe behind those bars. In the end, I'd rather be FREE and dead, than safe and in prison. Thousands of our forefathers had the same idea, and because they were willing to put it on the line we now have the greatest nation there is (and countless more men and women today put it on the line to keep it this way). We are the home of the free because of the brave, not because someone was so worried about safety that they stopped international flights.

I have a solution for those that find security decisions disruptive of their rights or of their very important, hand-held cargo of shampoo, lip stick, etc.Here's the plan: each airline will provide 2 airplanes, one with no inspection/security procedures for those willing to board...each person would have to sign a legally-binding waiver that no surviving family member could sue the government or the airlines in case of a disaster.(This would include pilots and crew). The other plane would be required to follow the advised precautions. Would this scheme help those who find security procedures onerous or governmental 'window dressing'?

Welcome to America, please check your freedoms at the door. It is things like this which only seek to prove that the terrorists have already won. The fact that I can no longer bring a bottle of water onto the airplane, because it could be an explosive, is just ridiculous. Whats next? Strip searches? We need to get out of this "State of Fear" in which we currently exist. We can only defeat the terrorists if we maintain the freedoms which make tis country great. Strip them away, and we have lost.

A lot of things that people take on board are not something you would need for a flight. I've taken long flights - 20 hours - and even then, you would not need a shaving cream, hair gel, etc. It would make you look nicer but grooming can be done at the airport restroom when you have reclaimed your luggage. No one's taking away your rights. If these measures are so offensive to you, you DO HAVE the right to not fly you know.

Whenever Homeland Security makes a change in procedure I wish they would think it through. I am seeing reports of some airports activating extra security measures: more dogs sniffing people (what are they smelling for?), more officers doing random checks of vehicles (looking for shampoo and toothpaste?) while other airports are taking a wait and see attitude and direction from DHS.

What we are seeing isn't a measured response to a new threat, it is an unorganized kneejerk first then we'll think the specifics reaction.

Would the the flying public have been less safe if DHS took a few more hours of thinking and formulating a plan as to what will be allowed, what will be disallowed, then fax and e-mail a list to all the TSA offices and airports.

A list would reduce the confusion and long lines like a few years ago when TSA first took over and some people operating the x-ray machines were making the rules as they went along because the orders came down first and the specifcs followed later.

A bunch of high ranking officials flanking Chertoff as he describes the dire situation then having one end with "Have a good flight" does not promote confidence in DHS.

Why not just group all Muslim male air travelers under the age of 50 in a separate area of each major airport and fly them together on separate planes--so they can nblow each other up. It's time to stop inspecting 80-yr old Italian grandmothers form head to toe as they go through security.

I agree with ileavemyshoeson, at what point do we stop sacrificing our rights in the name of "security"? If you think that all this is making it safer you must believe that the government is telling you everything. The continued expansion of excluded items is always in response to a threat. If this continues the terrorists will have succeeded in taking away all of our freedoms.. and the saddest thing is.. they will have been given up freely in the name of "security". And before anyone wants to remind of 9/11.. I was there.

It's something we need to be aware of when we fly. Now we know and we can adjust. It's for our benefit and benefit of others. If you can't handle it, don't travel by plane. You must plan in advance. If you have to have a baby on a plane, find out what is acceptable in advance. Obviously if it's a long flight, the baby has to be fed. (I.e., sealed one-serve pouches, get bottled water from the stewardess). If you have medications that are necessary for you to have access to while you're on the plane, find out what the airlines will allow for future travel. Ask your doctor to write a prescription for a refill if it's a vital medication, in case you and your luggage get separated. That way you can get a replacement if necessary. It's all about planning.

As someone who is just scared to fly in general (even before 9/11), I don't mind taking extra pre-cautions to ensure that the last thing I have to worry about is some nut killing people in the name of his religion with a Gatorade bottle. However I don't fly as much as the normal person does, so I can understand the anticipated frustration. Sign O' The Times.

We have banners that state remember 9/11.
I am thankful that we don't need another that remembers 8/10.Thank you Uk for a job well done.

As long as America meddles in Middle East affairs trying to achieve democracy, the opposite & equal reaction is that the terrorists will meddle with the USA. In the meanwhile we have to remain calm until a change can be initiated.

How about using facial recognition software? A few inconveniences to be safe, how can you be mad! safe and alive or wreckless and dead.

This is what it is... being a Flight Attendant, it makes our jobs that much more demanding. It will NEVER go back to any level of "normal". Patience has to be anyone's hope.. the world will always have stupid people.

O my god! Exploding breat milk and baby food! Please save me from the horror! Has America gone completely insane?

What's next, stand in a line, naked, with your clothes in a bag and be hosed down and full body scanned before you can get on a stupid plane. Security is so pathetically reactionary (take off your shoes please) and quite frankly, false. I'm surprised Don can leave his house.

Who in their right minds would be upset that the flight was being made safe by going through a few inconveniences. The loss of shampoo and other beauty supplies is traumatic I'm sure, but the loss of your life would be a bit more traumatic. Don't you think?