Fear of Flying   To everyone who flew somewhere during the
recent holidays, please accept my sincere condolences. You paid
a hefty price to spend some time with family and friends. And
no, I’m not talking about the cost of your ticket. I’m bemoaning
how what used to be a grand adventure has become a test of your
patience and endurance.  A friend of mine, flying home for the
holidays, forgot to put his permitted three ounces of shaving
cream, toothpaste and mouthwash in a one-quart plastic bag. When
he finally made it to the front of the line going through
security he was told he could throw the items away or return to
the airport concourse, purchase the proper see-through container
and re-enter security.  “Why do I need to put them in a plastic
bag?” he had the temerity to ask.  “So we can examine them,” was
the reply. “It’s for your protection.”  “Well, here,” my friend
said, as he tried to hand the offending items to the guard. “You
can examine them even better outside a baggie, can’t you?”  “No,
sir, they