Letter: Frequent flier swears off air travel for good

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001 | 9:14 a.m.

I recently read Brian Greenspun's column concerning Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, who was "cracking the whip" in the House to defeat the federalization of airport screeners. DeLay gets huge contributions from companies such as Argenbright Security Inc., that put these private hourly employees in our airports. It's all about money.

We citizens want airport screeners on the same level as our police officers, firefighters, pilots, etc.

As a senior citizen, I was shaken by a recent flight from Las Vegas to Orlando via Kansas City. Being a seasoned flier, I will state I will never fly again. Period. I have no confidence in airport security -- this was the trip from hell!

My luggage, after being in line two hours, was completely unpacked in front of the terminal and I had to repack within five minutes. These untrained screeners caused two flight delays. I was chosen three times (coming and going) for the random searches. Gate to gate: 12 hours and a shaken passenger who appreciates airport security, but not stupidity.

My one carry-on item (used for prescriptions, etc.) was x-rayed five times because these children couldn't operate the machinery. They chose to tell everyone within earshot that "this person really takes a lot of drugs!"

None of our usual family members are flying Thanksgiving or Christmas this year, due to the lack of confidence in airport security.

I think the D in DeLay stands for Depression -- look out airlines, here it comes!

S. J. MOROSINI

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