moosp
The cartoonist maybe did get it right in one, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
I'm sorry to say I think you are right. I assume your profile is accurate and that you are indeed expressing a real concern as the pilot of a passenger aircraft, this only goes to confirm my thinking in terms of my own future travel plans to the US and in general the way in which the US currently treats foreign airlines and their passengers. I'm slightly taken back by your nervousness in dealing with US authorities, lets face it, if you aren't confident that the commander of the aircraft is not going to arrange his own funeral by reporting a fracas on board or requesting help from the ground then what possible confidence can someone like me have when buying a ticket.
The current security situation and the way the airports and flights are policed WILL end in disaster, some form of error is highly likley when fighter escorts are common place and I'm afraid your reference to the US shoot down of a civilian airliner underlines it very well indeed.
As others have pointed out, there are many Countries that implement just as tight security in a less overt manner and thanks to a slightly less sensationalist approach in the local media are by default safer places to travel to and be in.
The red necks are entitled to their opinions, it's just a shame they express them, especially here.