[Wayne Maybury]

I fly often but most of the time short hauls. Going through security 50, 60, 70 times a year teaches one quite a bit. On occasion security is extremely thorough, especially in the small airports. Other times it is little more than a pain in the a$$. I have watched as an airport security agent spent 10 minutes checking an 85 year old grandmother in a wheel chair while in the next row over, a 25 year old questionable looking male breezes through.

The big problem is that everything that airport security does is reactionary, little or nothing is pro-active. 8 years ago some idiot tries to set off an explosive device in his shoe so the next day everyone has to take off their shoes. Several years ago another idiot tried to mix 2 liquids to make a bomb on a plane, the next day we couldn't take liquids, gels, or creams onto the aircraft.

Now this jerk tries to set off an explosion with stuff taped to his body so everyone has to go through a pat-down. As already stated, his father reported him to the authorities, he had a one way ticket, he paid cash for his ticket, and he did not have any luggage on an international flight. The bells should have been ringing and he should have been strip searched but instead he was allowed to board the plane. How can this happen?

Wayne