However, complaints are falling on deaf ears as the response from TSA is that body-patting is now being done for additional security measures, but unfortunately Americans have never been team players. This society has always bred and rewarded self-expression, competition and a me-first attitude. We are accustomed to a free society and giving up our civil rights is not acceptable to us. We do not like being treated as criminals and torso-searched when we know we are law-abiding citizens; but it does stop the crazies.

When my husband was flying he used to complain that he too had to go through security, in uniform, which his union strongly protested because if he wanted to sabotage his own airplane he had an axe behind his seat in the cockpit, or he could nose-dive his plane; so he felt the whole situation quite ridiculous, especially since the Canadian pilots did not have to stand in line and go through security at that time. Now pilots carry guns but they are also complaining that they get paid to fly from one city to another, not to have a shoot-out at the Okay Corral. The whole situation is out of control and nobody seems to know exactly what to do, and everybody is upset. Are the skies safer since the more stringent rules were put into effect? Yes, definitely, so it is just a matter of rethinking our prudishness. Give up dignity for safety? I think I would rather arrive alive, and protest later. Why should I have to re-arrange my plans because the terrorists want to disrupt my life style?

My attitude would depend on who was doing the patting/groping. If it were George Clooney or Pierce Brosnan, I would tell them they had missed a spot. But if it is done by a big, fat, female guard, I'd probably slap her and end up in jail for hitting a government employee.

If you are offended and embarrassed about this new very invasive procedure, as was the flight attendant who lost her temper and became hysterical when her breasts were touched, I suggest you do not lose your cool. Instead, get the name of the agent and file a formal complaint. Try to get the names of witnesses and document exactly what happened. Some airports are stopping this almost immoral procedure as they install new x-ray machines we can walk through. Hopefully, you have no skeletons in your closet. (Bad joke!)

Wear slip on shoes, no metal belts, or metal in your bra when traveling. Check your boots and shoes also to make sure they do not contain metal. Once my boots were removed and I was left standing in a corner for forty-five minutes. I thought they were going to destroy my boots and I'd have to walk on the plane barefoot. Do not wear jewelry, or even pins in your hair. These items only make the metal detector go off and this means you will be re-wanded, and its wastes everybody's time. You can also request to be given a private screening if things get out of hand, so to speak. However, keep in mind that small minds like to show you the power they have over you in your helpless situation, and will take delight in making you miss your flight; so you don't want to insult them personally. Keep your comments generic.

Do not wear an oversized shirt, as this makes them think you have something to hide under it. Be prepared to have the wand swept inside your legs all the way up to an inappropriate place. You can however, demand to see the supervisor, but again, be prepared to miss your flight, as they will pull you aside and make an example out of you for protesting as they try to do their jobs.

Men will be searched by male guards, but there have also been many complaints in this area, which I will leave up to your imagination.

When I travel, I wear slip-on loafers, slacks without a belt, and a tight teeshirt with a jacket, I can slip on and off easily; and my hair down. After inspection, I go straight to the ladies' room and then pin up my hair and put on my jewelry so that I can board the plane looking put together. Don't pack manicure scissors, tweezers, a comb with a metal tail, or gas curlers in your carry-on bag as they will be confiscated. I used to carry a small Swiss knife in my makeup kit which was convenient for opening plastic containers, but no more. Also, make sure all your medicines are in their original containers with the name of the physician and drugstore on the label. This saves a lot of time when being questioned.

If you are taking a larger bag and have sent it via cargo, that is where you should have packed these items, preferably together in a Ziplock baggy. If you are not taking a big suitcase then pack two small carry-ons which fit under the seat to go in the cabin with you. I always pack my makeup and perfume in Ziplock baggies to avoid spillage. A habit of mine is to place two large plastic trash bags in my cargo suitcase. One on the bottom and one on top of my clothes in case they leave the suitcases out in the rain. On my last trip to Hawaii somebody spilled fish all over my suitcase and I could not stand the smell. I had to send all my clothes to the cleaners at the hotel and buy a new suitcase; that can get expensive.

I once was pulled aside in New York, because when my suitcase was spot-checked, INS wanted to know why all my clothes were still clean and ironed and had not been used. No amount of explanation satisfied them. I had gone alone on a cruise around the Greek Islands to do some research for a book I was writing, but my luggage was placed by mistake on the wrong ship to France. I had been on the ship for one week without luggage and was forced to buy dresses at the boutique on board and on the tours. But INS did not believe that a woman would go on a ship alone, and made me lose my connecting flight to Florida, as I explained for two hours what had happened. Finally, when they found my ships' tickets in my carry-on bag, I had them call the shipping company who confirmed they had indeed lost my luggage, but found it at the end of the week and sent it directly to New York. So keep all phone numbers and tickets handy as it saves time. Remember, these agents were not hired for their brains and they will not think the way you do, and your reasoning might baffle them. When I travel these days I wear my "whatever you want" cooperative smile and attitude, which seems to go a lot farther than "why are you picking on me? Why me?"

Another good idea is to pack three or four bars of Trail Mix in your purse in case of delays. They taste good with a cup of coffee which is always available on a plane and they will give you instant energy. I always pack one medium size, strong, plastic bag for shopping at the airport stores or simply carrying books and magazines. In addition, they are good for putting in dirty sneakers. Don't forget to pack a bottle of aspirin, rubber bands which come in handy for ponytails or wrapping around packages, safety pins, a small package of Kleenex and band aids. Walking around European cities can give you blistered toes. When I am delayed at airports rather than sit bored to death, I put on my running shoes and go for a long walk outside to stretch my legs and breathe in fresh air. Some airports offer showers and that is also a way to relax and keep your stress level down.

Pack a portable umbrella, a light sweater for the on board air conditioning, and a bathing suit. Some hotels have swimming pools and saunas, which feels great for stretching and decompressing after a long flight. With a little more preparation these days, we can become accustomed to the inconvenience but safer flying.

When packing a large suitcase lay everything flat and fold the sleeves over each other. Stuff small items like socks inside shoes and wrap the shoes in plastic baggies and place on top of the suitcase. Place cocktail dresses inside plastic bags on the bottom of the suitcase but remember to place an empty plastic bag on the bottom to further protect your nice clothes, such as leather jackets. But if you are packing a small carry-on such as wheels, it is better to roll the clothes like a sausage, such as sweaters, and jeans, and place side by side. Running shoes are the worst to pack because they take up so much room and get dirty. I usually place my jogging shoes in a small plastic bag and put them in the separate outside pouch of the carry-on or in a separate small bag. Do not place your jewelry or any valuables in your cargo bag. Instead, carry cameras, etc. in your carry-on and take with you. Do not lock your suitcase as they are breaking the locks to inspect your cargo bag. Do not overstuff the bag as it could break open. The best rule to remember is that less is best. Also, do not wrap your holiday presents as everything will be inspected.

Keep your cool. I have been around aviation since I was five years old and I would never give up flying just because our enemies want to disrupt our way of living. Bend with the prevailing wind so you don't snap. Christmas travel can be very tiring and exasperating, but if you keep your sense of humor and chat with your neighbor, read a romance novel and listen to your tapes, you can make it less nerve-wracking if you don't fight the system. We have to have some system in place to make our flights safer, and until this all gets sorted out they are doing the best they can.

Alinka Zyrmont