NYTimes Readers Learn Positive Profiling

From a Letter to the Editor:

To the Editor:

What a surprise. Another terrorist gets through the Transportation Security Administration screening. How much longer do we have to put up with mindless and inadequate procedures before the T.S.A. recognizes that profiling, as practiced by the Israelis, really works?

The following are real questions asked of me by well-trained security personnel: Why are you going to Israel? A bar mitzvah? Your relationship? Where is it? What is the boy’s name? Parent’s name? Phone number? You’re going to a professional meeting? Who is the sponsor? May we see your invitation? Would you please wait while we disassemble your laptop and check for explosives?

This approach works.

Robert A. Myers
New York