Airport security, what a waste!

I long for the good old days when I would travel out of town and my entire family could come to the airline gate with me to see me off. I can't even begin to tell you how it warmed my heart to step off the airplane and into the airport to see my wife and children waiting for me. My kids would run up to me yelling, "Daddy, Daddy!!!" and my wife would come up and give me a kiss. What a wonderful way to end a trip.

Now we have to arrive TWO hours before our flight in order to get our bags checked and us cleared through security in time to catch our flight. The one time I forgot my driver's license, I got the full terrorist treatment. Security unpacked every one of my bags, swabbed the contents, frisked me and then left me to repack my bags. I hated packing my bags the first time. Having to do it at the airport in front of the TSI folks was about as fun as the last root canal I received.

I've donated more toothpaste, shampoo, hairspray, deodorant and bottled water to homeless shelters (that's where they told me TSI donates the confiscated toiletries) than I can count. And really, is it necessary to take my bottled water away from me. Just ask me to take a swig of the water to make sure it's safe.

Just imagine what it would be like to drive 20 minutes to a local airport, get into an airplane waiting for you at the FBO, fly to your destination without having to go through security or wait at the gate and battle for your seat and be back home in time for dinner. Flying commercially just isn't worth it anymore.