Flying in the USA??? You had better be patient!!!

While awaiting our last airline connection on the way home — the one just after arriving into the USA — I again find myself feeling frustrated and taking a few <hundred> deep breaths to settle down. The process of entering our own country is more taxing than that of anyplace else in the world. We were in lines for about 75 minutes, including 20 minutes for passport control, 35 minutes for customs, and 20 minutes for security into the connecting departure concourse. I am proud to be an American, but it is dismaying that travel in our country is more burdensome than we have experienced in visiting 25 or 30 airports in other countries over the last several years. My personal view is that we have swung the pendulum too far. In a quest for some unattainable level of perfect security, we have imposed huge restrictions on individual rights and conveniences. Life will never be without risks. Let’s accept that, bring back some common sense, and make airline travel in the USA enjoyable once again.