Salon.com's "Ask the Pilot"

As a regular traveler, I try to keep up in air-travel trends.  From frequent flier bonus schemes, to updated airline security standards, its in my best interest to keep on top of all this madness.

So lately, I've started reading salon.com's execellet "Ask the Pilot" weekly editorial.  The author, Patrick Smith, is a commercial pilot for a US carrier, and flies a ton more than I do.  So, I find his rants and raves mildly entertaining.....

I was catching up with my pilot reading, when I saw his article about TSA insanity (link).  As a regular traveler, I agree that the TSA has become way too large, way too bureaucratic, and way too gestapo-ish (is that even a word?).  I've read about travelers getting their laptops seized as they cross borders.....apparntly terrorists haven't learned of data encryption and proper backup procedures....

Since its summer storm season both in Tampa and Chicago, I've been doing my part to avoid ORD like the plague.  It isn't too bad on Monday morning, but its hell trying to get home on Thursday night.  But, luckily, there's another option...Midway.  Flying from Tampa to Midway means Southwest, and it means going through the Southwest terminal in Tampa. 

For some reason, the TSA agents at the Southwest terminal (and only at this terminal, i haven't had any problems at the AA terminal) hassle me weekly about my saline solution bottle.  Since its considered a medical supply (being for my contact lenses, which I use to see), it isn't required to be less than 3 oz, and isn't required to go into the 1 Quart Bag of Freedom.  I get asked, "why do you need so much solution" (because i use it daily), "why not buy little bottles" (they are expensive, and its unsanitary to transfer from the large to the small bottle), "why not just wear glasses when you travel" (um, are you seriously trying to tell me what I can wear and what I can't?  where are your qualifications to give medical advice?  I travel every week and I like wearing contacts...deal with it).....i know that I'm ranting, but I'm sick of inconsistent madness that I go through on a weekly basis.....

How do you guys deal with outlandish airport security?  Do you remeber to remove your belt, cell phone, laptop, liquids (both medical and non-medical), dvd player, xbox, and shoes...and place in seperate bins?