I've been keeping up with the large number of comments on this thread and feel even more sure that I did the right thing.
I RETIRED.
What used to be a brilliant career has been ruined, not by the terrorists, but by the attitude of a large number of jumped-up ne'er-do-wells who spoil a good day before it can ever get started. How the hell are we supposed to deal with all the normal hassles awaiting us when it starts with this....EVERY WORKING DAY.
I take this opportunity now to empathise with the large number of security staff who know how to do the job properly but are let down by a proportion of people who should never be allowed into such a position because of grave intellectual failings.
You all know who they are. Why don't you speak up ?
Let's get some intelligent people on the gates and not the disrespectful inadequates who are allowed to inflate their pathetic egos at the expense of aircrews and airside staff. After all, we all just want a quiet, trouble-free day and the knowledge of a job well done, don't we ?
And why is it that UK airports are the worst ? LHR, MCR, GLA, MME ?
Capt.Sleeve. (LHR based for 12years.)