A clear, plastic water pistol displayed on school grounds may, in most cases, result in a student's suspension, and sometimes even expulsion.

The mind-set is for the screeners to operate to the letter their security briefing. This is no middle ground. There is no gray area.

I would think post-9/11 common sense would be for travelers not to put up a fuss with security officials regarding the weapons they stash in their hair. People who scoff at federally mandated precautionary measures should be removed from federally regulated facilities.

As for the thread topic regarding the wounded soldier, the error was definitely on the side of the officials. ...Or -- perhaps he just failed to present a written doctor's prescription for the offending wire cutters.

Dan