[SuddsMcDuff]

I actually found the opposite when I visited the US for the first time last year. I was slightly nervous about encountering the TSA as I'd read some absolute horror stories online (many through Hacker News). But I've got to say, the TSA agents I encountered were incredibly friendly and helpful, even chatting and joking with my wife and I^.

Of course they did break into my suit case and destroy my pad lock but hey ho, at least they left me a friendly note.

Anyway I think it's important that both sides of the coin are represented here, people are more likely to write about negative experiences in general.

^We were on honeymoon in Orlando which probably accounts for the generally positive reception :)

[rtpg]

A couple years back I got fast tracked for the first time through a TSA line ( France -> Chicago ). Person who was sitting next to me in the flight was just as American as I was but hey her skin was dark (4th generation Indian parents or something?) so she got pulled to the side.

Based off of similar discussions I've had with other people on flights like this, a really good first approximation of the stopping time is "color of skin."

[michaelbuddy]

I've been pulled to the side seems like 30% of the time and I'm just a mutt from the Midwest with some international trips in my passport. I don't take offense because it happens with so many people and so many people glide through unscathed whether pulled aside or not. it's annoying but always random enough.