This could have been addressed to any of the airlines. I chose Southwest because it has been my carrier of choice for the past quarter century. I encourage everyone to write a similar letter to their airlines.

Mr. Gary C. Kelly
Chairman, President, and CEO
Southwest Airlines
P.O. Box 36647 - 1CR
Dallas, TX 75235-1647

Dear Mr. Kelly:

I just listened to the new "security" measures imposed in the wake of the terrorist attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253. You are now asking passengers to sit with hands visible, in their laps, for one hour after takeoff? No reading material, no pillow, no blanket? And for one hour before landing?

What precisely is this supposed to accomplish, other than alienating your customers? You think would-be bombers cannot invest in a wristwatch? Could not blow themselves up 65 minutes after takeoff? That they will respect a "sterile period"? If "sterile periods" are so effective, why not enforce them for the entire flight? Wait, here's an even better idea. Just post signs throughout the cabin: "WARNING! Blowing up a US aircraft is unlawful. The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation take all such 'man-caused disasters' seriously. Any 'man-caused disaster' will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If you have information on 'man-caused disasters' or attempted 'man-caused disasters,' call 1-800-FEEL-GUD." That should stop 'em. Stop 'em dead.

I know, your hands are tied; the Department of Homeland Security made you do it. Would you ask passengers to assume the fetal position, or stand on their heads, or stare at the sun if Janet Napolitano so demanded? Does no one in the American airline industry have a spine? Are you and the CEOs of the other airlines going to watch your business go down the drain rather than stand up to the Secretary of Homeland Security, tell her that what she is demanding is ineffectual, stupid, and counterproductive?

I was scheduled to fly Southwest this Sunday. It's a 2.5 hour flight. You expect me to stare at the back of the head in front of me for two hours? I have flown on Southwest for 25 years, but I will not be flying anywhere on any airline if at all possible until the industry grows a spine and demands effective security regulations, not "sterile periods" where the docile passengers keep their hands in their laps, sheep going to the abattoir.

Henry Percy is the nom de guerre for a technical writer living in Arizona. He may be reached at saler.50d@gmail.com.

Clarification:

The "sterile periods" do not apply to SW Airlines, though the rules are hopelessly complex.