I position a lot through the USA, mainly through Florida to the Caribbean. After 9/11, security became almost intolerable. Non english speaking people who didn't have a clue what they were doing, didn't understand who aircrew were and were downright rude. Since the TSA have taken over, all I can say is that it is much much better. You get greeted with a hello, they speak english, they recognise aircrew, they are thorough and polite. What is a glaring ommission though is that we are now being asked to leave suitcases unlocked :o I cannot believe after all has been drilled into us regarding security etc, that they want us not only to leave our cases unlocked, but then leave them unnattended while a porter comes to trolley them off to security. now that is dumb !