While not entirely on topic, contrary to the above, I actually find security screening in the USA to be an absolute pleasure compared to Australia.
I can quite happily put my bag through the machine with a laptop, iPad and 2 bottles vodka and not receive even a sideways glance. I then walk through the scanner with my hat on my head and jacket on, never once beep (nor get forced through the nude-o-scope) and receive a courteous "thank you sir" as I walk away.
Try doing that in Sydney or Brisbane... We've become the worlds leading nanny state and it doesn't take much to create a scare.