Re: Portland

On May 14, 2012, at 7:10 PM, Jax Goss wrote:

> You know, I'm a little worried about flying in the States now. Last time I was there was 2004. I think things have changed a LOT.

Not so much, really. It's been bastard miserable since the mad shoe bomber and the attempt at thunderpants underpants above Detroit. Most of the change has come from the evil, authoritarian assholery and understaffing at the airports themselves.


> And now I've been lulled into the false sense of security that is New Zealand airports, where people are friendly and have common sense, and don't care how much water you take onto the plane.

If you're hitting Portland, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Of the US airports I use on a regular basis, PDX remains my favorite. The security folks there are pretty good eggs -- even if the ever changing rules they have to follow are bizarre. I preferred the place before they installed the new cancer scanners, but the blueshirts give a good, honest grope if you don't want to use one. It's possibly the airport that makes me feel least like livestock on its way to the knocker.

PHL and the NY trio (EWR, JFK and LGA), on the other hand, manage to raise my blood pressure to the point that I'm honestly worried about stroking out in a spittle-flecked rage. I'd rather spend five days driving across the country than spend another hour in any of those hellholes.


> I fear a rude shock when I hit US airports. :(

If you let us know your itinerary, I'm sure we can use the anonymous denunciation hotline to make that happen!