"Opinion: We should thank airport screeners"

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Opinion
We should thank airport screeners
The Sarasota (FL) Herald Tribune


Regarding a recent article that reported the unpleasant encounters between
airline travelers and screeners, stating that "in the view of some
travelers, security screening remains as big a hassle as ever, and screeners
can be even grumpier these days."

This is fact: The screeners are doing the very important job they are being
paid to do: protect us from those who seek to do us harm. Period.

Instead of interfering with our supposed right (there's that word again) to
travel with the minimum of inconvenience, would it better suit the impatient
traveler if these men and women were employed to collect body parts? Excuse
the apparent insensitivity of this statement. But, every so often, it seems
we need to be reminded of certain facts of life; and airport security is one
such fact -- thanks to none other than the sworn enemy of this nation, Osama
bin Laden, and his terrorists.

To paraphrase William Shakespeare's ever relevant sonnet from "The Merchant
of Venice": The quality of (courtesy) drops as the gentle rain from heaven
upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and
him that takes.

In other words, we get back what we give. More courtesy and a "thank you"
now and then would go a long way toward reducing the stress for all
concerned, especially as we approach the Christmas holiday -- the season of
peace and good will to all.

Eleanor Habbersett
Sarasota


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