The Slice: Making air travel slightly less of a hassle

Here’s an enthusiastic vote for obtaining that TSA pre-check “known traveler” clearance.

“One of the better uses of $85 in my book, being the crowd averse guy I am,” wrote Jim Clanton of Spokane Valley.

“Being a bean counter, I look at it this way: Six round trips a year times two security screenings a trip (minimum) times five years = 60 screenings divided into $85 = a little less than 12 bits a screening. A bargain in my book.

“It is not so valuable in Spokane as we do not get the crowds at the airport like the bigger cities, though not having to take off your shoes, belt, etc. is nice.

“But, when you fly out of bigger cities it is really valuable.”

Re: That Alaska Airlines tail art: Years ago, now retired Alaska pilot Paul Taylor was in the air when he heard radio transmissions involving an air traffic controller on the ground and another aircraft’s flight crew. Someone on the other airliner saw Taylor’s plane and alluded to the distinctive Eskimo logo.

Taylor got on the radio and noted that the tail art actually depicted a United Airlines flight attendant.

It was one of the few times anyone heard laughter in those totally businesslike radio exchanges.

Taylor hastened to note that, the truth is, the United flight attendants he knew were totally charming and attractive.

Another opinion: “To me, lilacs have nothing to do with the start of spring,” wrote James McDonald. “I have seen too many false starts. It’s when the ski reports stop on the local news that I know spring has arrived.”

Slice answer: “The Air Force sent me all over the country,” wrote Patrick Kern. “Spokane definitely remains a very desirable last assignment for the purpose of retiring and staying here.”

When you are used to driving one vehicle and get behind the wheel of another: “After driving my ‘plain Jane’ Chevy S-10, and then getting into my wife’s vehicle, I often inadvertently grabbed the wrong lever,” wrote Jack Newcomb. “The first time I pulled on the lever to signal a lane change and suddenly encountered a rainstorm on the windshield, I said ‘Holy mackerel, Batman, I just caused a rainstorm.’ From that time on, I called my wife’s vehicle the Batmobile.”

Today’s Slice question: What do you avoid because you fear it might prompt a heart attack?

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Earl Hoal suggested that one way to observe Valentine’s Day might be to turn off and take down the outdoor Christmas lights.