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Originally Posted by Force Flow
I haven't flown since before 9/11...I'm curious as to how much airport security has actually changed since then and now several years after the fact (and I don't mean all the sensationalist horror stories...I've heard and read about my fair share).
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It isn't all that much different, they just pretend to be more thorough.
Basic differences are:
Your family can no longer pass the security checkpoint to see you off at the terminal -- only ticket holders get that far.
You pass through the metal detector, and stuff all your baggage and pocket goods through the x-ray.
You may be required to turn on your computer.
You will have to remove your shoes.
You may be subject to further inspections -- pat downs, check with a wand, checked with an explosive sniffer (and pray that you haven't worn those clothes while doing some informal target shooting or something...), and if they have some further suspicions, you may be escorted to another room for further checks, but it seldom gets that far.
What is scary to me is that they single out people like me for further checks on almost every flight, yet I see "internationals" of a particular persuasion pass right through with nary a glance. I'm a middle-aged white dude that is generally packing a Bible -- a terrorist, I'm sure -- I must fit some profile somewhere, but as far as I know, no one fitting my description has EVER caused a problem with a plane anywhere, especially when traveling with my cute little wife... Yet, I seem to get the special treatment.