Vegas security is especially tough since it is assumed to be a target. Other cities much less so. I vacationed in Vegas last year in March. The line was roughly 2 hours long for the same reason. Personally I didn't mind as I'm assuming the wait was less onerous than death. Last month, shortly before the Christmas holidays I flew into New York for an overnight business trip. There were no real problems in or out. I just returned from a trip that included a change of planes in Washington DC and had there been lines I would have missed my connection. Luckily that wasn't the case. I travel on a relatively frequent basis and the long wait is the exception, not the rule. Personally I would prefer a system such as that emplyoe by Israel, if I understand it properly. The back ground checks wouldn't be fun nor would the need to be ticketed well in advance. I'm assuming that the in advance requirements reek havoc with last minute changes, but until the terrorist threats are eliminated I think any prudent measures to be well worth the effort. To actually answer the question as posited, the airlines are in deep trouble. The trouble IMO is not the security demands but the sheer fact of 9/11, those who fear flying now have ample reason to do so. Mike "liberals are being driven crazy by the fact that Bush is so popular with Americans, and thus by the realization that anyone to the left of center is utterly marginal." JAMES TRAUB NY Times Loyal member of the vast right wing conspiracy