(15/11) Stewart arrived back in Canberra from the USA with Gerard Frawley at 1pm yesterday by Qantas Dash 8 from Melbourne. Gerard's family and I were there to greet them. It was nice to catch up with Kerrie, Gerard's mother and meet baby Sophie.

The trip was great, with many highlights thanks to our friends at Boeing. But the downside was the incredible security impositions in the USA these days.

Stewart was still seething from having his bag opened and searched (not in his presence) by the US Department of Homeland Security - Transportation Security Administration. They broke the lock (not returned) and went through all the contents leaving a flyer in the bag.

I quote; "Notice of Baggage Inspection. To protect you and your fellow passengers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required by law* to inspect all checked baggage. As part of this process, some bags are opened and physically inspected. Your bag was among those selected for physical inspection. During the inspection, your bag and its contents may have been searched for prohibited items. At the completion of inspection, the contents were returned to your bag.

If the TSA screener was unable to open your bag for inspection because it was locked, the screener may have been forced to break the locks on your bag. TSA sincerely regrets having to do this, however, TSA is not liable for damage to your locks resulting from this necessary security precaution.

For packing tips and suggestions on how to secure your baggage during you next trip, please visit www.TSATravelTips.us.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact the TSA Consumer Response Center (sic): +1 866 289 9673 (toll free) or e-mail TellTSA@dhs.gov.

*Section 110(b) of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001, 49 USC 44901(c)-(e)"

This was the final straw in a trip where security imposed too many body searches and other delays. Stewart was not the only member of the Australian media team who received this treatment. What happened to freedom? The terrorists have won!

How do you defend yourself if 'something' is found in your luggage when it has been opened and searched outside your control. What if 'things' are inserted during this search? We are told never to allow bags out of sight and not to accept parcels from strangers. Yet in the USA there is a government which allows unwitnessed searches. Who are the inspectors? Can they be trusted? What if valuables are stolen? Does the TSA accept any liability? I bet not. What happens to insurance claims after this type of search? I could go on as it raises so many questions.

The main reason for Stewart's trip, visiting Boeing's facilities at Seattle, St Louis and Long Beach went off as planned. The Aussie team had a good time learning about Boeing's various military projects. They saw and were allowed on board one of the RAAF's Wedgetail aircraft - a thrill none of them expected. Stewart caught up with many Boeing people he's met on previous trips.

(22/11) Well, well even the US Homeland Security Dept is worried about its screeners according to last night's SBS news. The story was quite lengthy and it showed screeners taking articles from people's baggage right in front of the security cameras. They said some $15 US million worth of claims have been lodged for clothes, presents, jewellery and business goods which have been stolen from luggage by the screeners. They too are worried about 'things' being put into bags by screeners. I rest our case!!

The solution is to make the screeners work in front of the people who's bag they are checking. People on low wages are too easily open to bribing to earn more money. Why take such an unnecessary risk? Why intrude so much in people's lives? What happened to freedom?