I was going through screening at LAX a couple years ago... I emptied my pockets into the bowl and proceeded along, when I went to grab my keys, change, Etc. after they exited the machine, I was asked about something on my key ring. It was a key to a trigger lock (for a firearm I was not traveling with) They initially proceeded to treat it like it was a gun as it was shaped like one... I attempted to explain to them why it was shaped like a pistol. They did not seem to get it. TSA stated they had to take it away from me as it looked like a gun. I must have told them 15 times it was a key, and without it how could I use my gun! I also explained, If they confiscated my key, I would need to cut the lock off my gun after returning home... They still insisted it was some sort of gun even though, at one point, out of desperation/frustration I pointed it at my head and pulled the trigger! (which consisted of flexing the little, 1/8" long, plastic fake trigger which of course would do nothing) I finally had enough and requested a supervisor. The supervisor understood what it was and let me through with my key... They also let me through with a common ball point pen that can be a very deadly weapon... These people aren't too smart or educated.

One of my concerns are unintended consequenses; something to always take into consideration when making decisions. A friend of mine is a retired, big city, street/traffic cop. I asked him one day what his biggest fear, on the job was. He said it was not the obvious stuff or what you might think. His biggest fear was a middle aged white guy, with a family and a mortage. His rational was; with all that daily pressure all it could take for someone like that to cause real problems was a really bad day at work topped off with a traffic ticket on the way home.

I'm not saying we don't need security; though I fear that with the manner in which the TSA conducts business, all the TSA horror stories, Etc. they will eventually pick on the wrong, that person, and could cause a catastrophic situation similar to those they are attempting to prevent.

In closing; for the TSA, and security in general, to function with the highest degrees of effectiveness, there must be an element of trust and mutual respect and cooperation as we are all links in the chain. The TSA's current policies do not seem to allow for this. As a flight crew member or PAX, if I am ever in real trouble with an aircraft security situation; the last people I want to come save me are anyone from the TSA or Homeland Security, except for the Navy Seals or even a lone Marine!