Making dangerous comments and threats on a plane is plain stupid.

I was in the airport about five years ago with a male friend of mine on the way to California from Dallas. We were very excited about the flight, happy to see some sights and have a little fun. 

There were some kids behind us, mid to late teens who were horsing about, joking with one another and shoving at each other. Occasionally, they would shove into us, and we would clear our throats, say "Excuse me" loudly, and turn back around. They were not our favorite people. 

As we got into the security clearance area, we did all of the things that you are supposed to do: Take off your shoes, remove your laptop from the case, etc. It was a no-brainer in light of the incidents of September 11, 2001. 

The kids behind us started joking to each other about having a bomb, about being a bomb, and about blowing one another up. It was irritating, but when they got to security, they were in for a rude awakening. The Department of Homeland Security took those boys aside for security reasons. I do not know what happened to them, but I do know that they were not on our flight to California. 

Airport Security is nothing to joke around about. We all know that it is a nuisance at times, but the security that is in place is there to help you, and to make sure that we are all safe in the skies. 

Here are a couple of tips to make your travels safer. (And mine.)

• This sounds like I am being funny, but I am not. If, for any reason, you carry a firearm on your person or in your belongings, remove it before you travel.  This lady flight attendant was treated the same as any other passenger when she went through security, and now, her bad choice kept her from working her flight, and she has some legal issues to deal with. 
• Do not make false comments or jokes about things you have on your person, on the plane, in your bags, in your checked luggage.  This man, aged 75 was treated the same as any person of any age who would make such comments. They are treated very seriously. 
• Report anything suspicious to someone appropriate. But do not make a false report. 
• Look on the internet for what is and what is not allowed to be brought with you on board or checked onto a plane. Pack accordingly. Don't break the rules. 
• You cannot board a US plane without proper identification. A list of that can be found on any US airline website as to what is accepted and what is not. 
• If you are traveling with people who are prone to jokes and pranks, explain the seriousness of airport security to them. 
• If you are traveling with someone who has a diminished mental capacity for any reason, let the ground crew (Gate Agent/Ticket Agent) know. You can sometimes note this to the airline via their toll-free numbers. Let the inflight crew know as well. A friend of mine has a mentally handicapped son who began screaming "Help Me! Help Me!" while seated on the plane. The flight attendant, thankfully, knew beforehand about his disability, and was able to assist wonderfully. 

The skies will never feel as safe to us as they did in the time before the September 11 terrorist attacks. Last year, at Christmas, a man tried to blow up a US plane. Thankfully, he was stopped. Air safety is something that is very important and cannot be taken for granted. 

Airline security is something that we, as Americans for the most part did not have to deal with before 09/11/2001. It is something that we should be honored to have now to keep us safe.