A note to holiday travellers... stay out of my way

Hi, I'm KMC and I travel for a living. This is not my first time travelling. This won't be my last time. I know all the rules and follow them. I may not agree with them, but I know how to get around an airport and through security in the least amount of time possible. I don't need you rookies out there slowing me down. I do allow more time during the holiday season for additional travellers, but I refuse to go beyond a certain point. Apparently some of you have been living under a rock for the past year, but you can't bring liquids through security unless they're in bottles that are 3.4oz or less, Those 3.4oz bottles must be in a single quart size clear ziplock bag. That's it. It doesn't make any sense, but someone out there figured out that if you limit people to 3.4oz we'll all be safe. Have they taken into account if i have my 3.4oz, and you have your 3.4 oz, and someone has theirs, I'm not sure, but you know what? it doesn't matter. Those are the rules, and no matter how much you complain to the TSA agent, they're not going to let you through with your entire medicine cabinet.

Today I witnessed a scene where a woman was getting visibly upset and yelling at a TSA agent. She refused to throw away all of her hard earned money that was in the bag. The agent kept telling her that she didn't have to throw it away, but she could go back out and check that bag and retrieve it at baggage claim at her destination. She just wasn't listening. At this point the line was getting longer and longer behind her because she was involving every TSA agent at the checkpoint. It was so bad that airport police had to get involved, all because she wouldn't check her bag with all of her product. I doubt that she made her flight. Things that also won't fly include that hunting knife your brother got you for your 13th birthday and you carry it everywhere you go. You can't fly with aerosols. You can't fly with lighters. If you really need a lighter, put it in your pocket. It's not going to set off the metal detector. If you are bringing wrapped gifts with you, think again. You may be very disappointed when you get them at your destination and they have been unwrapped and opened for inspection. Unfortunately, this is the world we are living in now. Go to the TSA's website, go to your airlines website and become informed about the do's and don'ts of air travel.

I have my own issues with airline safety, but realize that they're just following the rules and are there for our own good. I have VERY large feet. I have enough foot problems as it is. I refuse to walk through the metal detectors barefoot. I have no problem walking through and sitting down and waiting for them to run my shoes through the machine, but I don't want to put my bare feet where everyone else has. Who knows how often those carpets actually get cleaned. I fly out of a very busy airport at home and many of the screeners recognize me and don't bother fighting the fact that I'm not walking through barefoot. This is part of knowing and following the rules.

While we're at it, 2 suitcases, a briefcase, backpack and a supersized purse do not equal 1 carry one plus 1 personal item. Last time I checked 1+1=2. You are not special. They don't have to bend the rules for you. The more you complain about it, the longer we're going to stay here and we're going to be delayed. Check your bags to your final destination and get on the plane. When they say the are closing the main cabin door and all cell phones must be turned off and put away, believe it or not, they are actually talking to you too. I know that you are telling Betty-Sue about your night last night, but we have to go. I don't want to hear about your night. I dread the day they allow cell phone usage in flight, and i'm not concerned about safety issues with air to ground communications. I just don't want it becuase of the annoyance factor.