DeePee: I view TSA as a gigantic social experiment, designed to determine just how much B.S. normal law-abiding people will tolerate. The inconsistencies are absurd. Departing Spokane this week, I was told everything had to come out of the pockets, even my passport and ticket. (Pretty hard to show them your ID and ticket when they’re in a bucket.) Then boarding in SLC yesterday, going through the routine divestiture of jewelry, the TSA chap said, ‘You can leave your ring on; the equipment’s not that sensitive.’ On one plus side, the TSA personnel are generally more civil than they were, say, 5 years ago. But it’s still an annoyance and certainly instills no sense of confidence in the government’s ability to do anything intelligently.

Question: Have you had a bad encounter with TSA security in the last year?