Like Kathie, we just got back from our 10 day charter on our TMM Lagoon 410 last night. Once my laundry is done, dogs back from the kennel, brain dried out from the beverages throughout the trip, and work crises averted, I'll put down my thoughts on the charter. I know people are still curious about security with the airports/airlines, so here are my observations...<br><br>Security in Nashville outbound was pretty laid back - a little alarming, in fact... I had my portable GPS, 35mm camera, digital camera, 15 rolls of film in a lead-lined bag, cell phone, and several packs of batteries in a carry-on - went right through x-ray without a 2nd glance. Only idea that security was tightened was the long lines at 4:45 in the AM, the Nat'l Guard patrolling the airport, and only ticketed passengers allowed past security checkpoints. Also, some people were subjected to random bag checks at the gate prior to boarding - mostly single people, it appeared. Atlanta also had random bag checks, but none for us.<br><br>On the return, Beef Island had the tightest security of all. We flew Cape Air to SJU. All bags were searched by Cape Air ticket agent (stinky salty dirty clothes!) prior to them accepting the bags - again, however, he didn't require me to turn on any of the electronics and he didn't even look inside my opaque lead-lined film bag. Unlike what we saw with the AA counter, Cape Air did not require removing batteries from everything. Going through security to board the planes, all razor blades, LIGHTERS, matches, etc. were confiscated. This REALLY ticked off some of the smokers in the group since that had not been a requirement anywhere else and was not publicized prior to the security check.<br><br>In SJU, Customs and Immigration were deserted - we arrived EXACTLY between 2 cruise ships and had no one to contend with in customs. As soon as we told them we came in from Tortola and that we were American, we were waved through with no questions. Upon arriving at the security checkpoint to get out to the concourse, I saw some people getting their unopened film boxes searched, but again, my bag went through the x-ray with no hesitation and no additional searches. A little eery with all my techno-goodies in the bag!<br><br>One other thing. As we boarded the Delta flight from SJU-ATL, the head flight attendant announced that our 767 had the new secure cockpit doors and that there were a "couple" of other security changes, mostly no waiting in the galleys to go to the bathroom. At one point in the flight I got up to go forward to the unoccupied bathroom right outside the cockpit (we were in first class). I was blocked by the flight attendant and asked to return to my seat (and he would come get me when it was okay to use the bathroom). About 30 seconds later the pilot came out of the cockpit to the bathroom and one of the flight attendants entered the cockpit and closed the door. When the pilot was done in the loo, he knocked on the cockpit door and was let in by the flight attendant, who then left the cockpit, closed the door, and let me forward to use the facilities myself. Kind of an interesting new security precaution. They apologized to me, but I let them know I was happy to see the new procedures!<br><br>Anyway, off to pick up the dogs... More on the trip (and the dynamics of taking non-sailors on a 10-day charter) later!<br><br>Paul B.<br>Nashville, TN
