Recently, we flew from Newark to West Palm Beach on business, and stayed a few extra days to visit with our daughter. Since this was first time we flew since 9/11, we didn't know what to expect, so we allowed plenty of time before flight.

We were pleasantly surprised that we could check in, and get our boarding pass at curbside. We then headed directly to security to be screened prior to boarding. Apparently my wife Sue's purse failed X-ray check, as they put it through several times. While short of a body cavity search, they did put her through an extensive check. Taking her purse then to a different machine, they wiped it with a cloth, and then tested cloth. They didn't make her open purse, which I found strange, and offered no explanation of what they were doing, or why.

While I recognize that security guards are not direct employees of individual airlines, they should insist that these people are at least courteous. Those with a bad attitude make flying even more onerous.

We finally got through security, and had some time to wait before flight, so we decided to get some lunch. We ordered, and while they gave us a fork, they didn't give us a knife to cut meat. I inquired and was told that no knives were allowed in airport or on a plane. OK, I thought but wondered how I could injure someone with one of those small plastic knives with a rounded tip - fork would be far more dangerous.

Cancelled flights, delays and gate changes are things over which none of us have any control. Worse, such changes are usually made at last minute, after you’ve left for airport and after you’ve made that last-minute call to airline to make sure everything on schedule.