Fight Or Flight

Back from a recent trip.  A few notes on flying (or trying to):

1)  Let's change the name of the Department of Homeland Security.  It's not too late.  It'll cost a little for new logos and seals, but it's worth it.  We're not Germany, we're America.  It's not about a specific plot of land so much as a concept of freedom.

2)  Just because I'm required to hand over my driver's license to a government official at the security check does not give them the right to refer to me by my first name.  Even if they think it makes the whole interaction more folksy, it's "Mr. LAGuy," thank you very much.

3)  The whole security process is dehumanizing, but I think the worst part is having to parade around the airport in your socks.  I find it more degrading than a lengthy patdown.

4)  If someone is contentedly sitting in your seat when you get there, they have to be removed from the plane.  Not for the inconvenience they've caused, but because they've proved they're simply too stupid to be flying.  Can't we detect that before they board?

5)  Here's a good business to have: the last gas station before the car rental. Any price is better than returning a car not filled up.