HONG KONG — With air travel peaking next month in Asia and Europe for Christmas and New Year after going into overload in the United States over the Thanksgiving weekend, governments should re-examine the costs and inefficiencies of security that add tens of billions of dollars to the cost of doing business as well as cause disruptions and angst to millions of passengers who just want to reach their destinations safely.
A backlash against excessive and intrusive security measures has already started in the U.S. Congress and among columnists. John Tyner, the putative passenger who yelled, "Don't touch my junk or I'll have you arrested," when Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel in San Diego insisted on giving him a groin check before boarding, has become an instant hero.
Tyler's plaint sounds rather pathetic when set alongside the great historic cries for freedom, but he had the presence of mind to record his treatment, which included the following exchange.