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[quote user="tbdanny"] Hi, I've been following this debate with interest, as my fiancee and I are planning a honeymoon to the United States in September next year.  We'll be travelling by train from Los Angeles to Chicago - this was always part of the plan, as I used to model the ATSF and this is the old Cajon Pass route. We'll probably end up flying between Chicago and New York, then from New York back to LA for the flight to Australia, but now we have an idea of the worst to expect when flying within the USA.  We may not have a choice, but we'll be prepared to tolerate it.  Especially after seeing articles like <a href="http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/airport-pat-down-was-sexual-assault/story-e6frfq80-1225955026206">this one</a>. Also, it's my understanding that the Fourth Amendment to your constitution only exempts border security searches - which would mean that the 'scanner or pat-down' searches without reasonable cause on domestic flights would be a violation? Cheers, tbdanny  [/quote] No worries!  By the time you get here the TSA and the carriers will have worked the snags out of the screening processes.  They always have a few glitches when they implement new technology or procedures.  And the American press, believe it or not, tends to take exceptions and blow them out of proportion.  Many people take a few isolated instances and generalize them to the population as a whole.  Of course, in most instances, there is no logical reason to do so.  Come to think of it, that may happen on Train's forums from time to time. LA to Chicago on the Southwest Chief is a good ride.  I did it in May of this year from Chicago to LA.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  If time permits, I recommend that you take the Capitol Limited from Chicago to Washington, D.C. and the Acela from Washington to New York.  The Capitol passes through some pretty scenery, and the Acela is a hoot (that's America speak for a thrill), although a pricey one.  If you get an Amtrak Rail Pass, you can get a pretty good fare, I believe.  Moreover, with you currency being on a near par with the American dollar, you will not have to pay the premium that many of my Australian friends had to pay when they visited America. For those legs in the U.S. where you have to fly, choose Southwest Airlines if possible.  It does not charge you for checked bags.  Moreover, if you fly in Australia (I never met an Australian who does not fly), you will feel right at home on Southwest.  It is just like Virgin Blue or Virgin Blue is just like it.  I like Virgin Blue better because it offers assigned seats.  That plus the fact that I was on the first flight on the second day of operations out of Melbourne makes me a devoted customer of Virgin Blue. I lived in Melbourne from 1999 to 2004.  Your country is great!  It is one of the best places that I have lived.  I go back every year or so to visit friends in Melbourne and Sydney.  Whilst I lived in Australia I rode the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth.  I also rode the QR's Tilt train, the Spirit of the Outback, and  The Sunlander.  My journey on the Spirit of the Outback was from Longreach to Brisbane.  Not too many Americans get to Longreach.  QR is a first class railway.  Also, I have taken The Overland between Melbourne and Adelaide six times.  And I cannot remember how many times I have taken the Countrylink between Melbourne and Sydney and vice versa.  Plan on a nice trip to the USA.  Airport security is a fact of modern air travel.  It is a pain but it is not intolerable or nearly as bad as some folks make it out to be.  Try to avoid the rush hours, e.g. Sunday night, Monday morning, Friday evening, as well as some of the heavy holiday locations, e.g. Orlando, Miami, etc., at least on the heavy travel days.  If you follow these suggestions, you should encounter minor inconveniences.  Allow plenty of time to check in, have a cup of coffee, and board your airplane.  You won't notice much difference between the security at Sydney and LA. Cheers
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