You've most probably heard the latest airport alert. Government officials going through security at Los Angeles and Chicago's O'Hare airports carrying mock test bombs got through an alarming number of times without detection.

Seventy-five per cent escaped notice in Los Angeles and 50 per cent at Chicago's O'Hare.

Chilling news, especially to those already nervous about flying at this time in history ¿ which means most of us.

But it's either that or knuckle down like hermits, which leaves little choice. So what's it like to fly, now that those latest alarming statistics have been revealed?

The two airports scoring worst made all the newscasts, but there were also others not mentioned that failed those tests. And when 24,000 airline pilots were recently surveyed as part of a comprehensive $8.5-million study, results were immediately classified.

But after leaks involving reports of increasing near collisions began emerging, there was enough uproar from various sectors that it was reported some of the study would eventually be made public.

On October 23, just days after these new bulletins, we flew out of Chicago's O'Hare to Reno, Nevada, nearest gateway to Lake Tahoe. Would it be a nightmare? Something just short of a strip search? An over-zealous attempt to erase that black mark on their reputation?

In the past we'd felt more than adequately searched following all latest rules. But in our estimation, usually politely and with a pleasant attitude. As advised by security, our one-quart clear plastic bag held small containers of sanitiser hand-wash, lotion, nail polish, toothpaste, perfume, etc.

There was even a miniature Gosling's rum sample bottle, now filled with water for taking emergency medication. My mother used to carry one like it for swallowing pain killers and on occasion it led to raised eyebrows, such as when she attended private movie screenings with us. While Roger Ebert sat behind us munching from a popcorn bag, out would come her little water bottle.

Some film critics probably erroneously thought she was having a little nip. And as usual, all our rings, watches, belts, buckles, bracelets and necklaces were removed, placed in our hats, and sent through X-ray so no alarm sounded. Shoes were also removed and placed in a plastic container.

You'll notice both security officials and this traveller are careful to specify O'Hare when mentioning Chicago's airport.

Chicago-Midway is another matter with problems all of its own . . . such as a recent Delta Air Lines flight that didn't secure its baggage compartment adequately. When it opened and two pieces of luggage flew out, the cabin began decompressing. The flight returned and passengers were transferred to another plane . . . once again emphasising my father's favourite repeated mantra, "You're only as good as your worst employee."

Because of someone's carelessness, Delta received considerable negative publicity. By departure time on our American flight to Reno they'd actually found one baggage piece about four blocks away from takeoff. Imagine being bound for a cruise with all your evening clothes in that missing suitcase!

All these distressing news items were erupting simultaneously at full boil over talk radio, as I was attempting to fall asleep before a dawn alarm and early-morning flight. It was definitely not conducive to relaxation.

If there's any disagreement in our otherwise very tranquil household, it's because my brother Jim thinks I'm far too tuned-in to such alarmist, thought-provoking late-night news items.

"Too much knowledge can be a dangerous thing," insisted a friend. "What can you do about the world's problems? All it does is raise your bloodp ressure."

Since mine hovers between 102 to a high of 115, that's no problem. I like to be over-informed.

But back to this flight. Expecting the worst after all the disturbing headlines, it was basically no different than efficiency always experienced here. And if it wasn't, you know I'd tell you about it. Lines were longer, slower than usual, because it' was a sold-out early departure with business travellers off to meetings.

A personable young man checked our driver's licences and First Class tickets. Looking up at my face shrouded in sun glasses, he kidded: "Are we travelling incognito this trip?"

Tickets, incidentally, were a remarkable bargain . . . Chicago-Reno only $248 round trip, plus $50 charge to take 30,000 frequent flyer miles from my account for a guaranteed First Class upgrade. The charge was applied because it was a last-minute purchase.

If done 21 days prior, there would be no fee. Any observant traveller could see carry-on was being carefully scanned, often backed up for another look after moving forwards on the conveyor.

We were satisfied with the procedure and it's our job to be critical. There was also nothing to complain about on flight 1487 where our two older male stewards, Walter and Keith, did an exemplary job of pampering passengers.

Our e-mailed tickets labelled meal service, although a snack, tasty vegetable pizza, crispy green salad along with crackers and cheese, followed by fresh baked chocolate chip cookies could hardly be labelled that. . . . especially not when washed down with mimosas followed by coffee with Bailey's Irish Cream added.

Always remember if travelling through a US airport, check to see if your airline offers spcial security facilities. Although not true everywhere, in Chicago American has a security facility for its frequent flyer passengers.

We'd found such special Transportation Security Administration (TSA) facilities usually move much faster and more efficiently. Reno had a general one for all First Class passengers. Also, some airports allow travellers to lock checked-in luggage if willing to stand by until it passes through and clears surveillance X-ray.

After researching theft statistics from a number of airports internationally, we prefer to send it through locked when possible. Years ago I'd been staying at an Arizona resort which turned out to be also hosting a special meeting of major airline executives trying to solve serious problems of airport baggage theft.

Turned out by one of those rare coincidences, I knew a participant, which gave me an introduction to meet and chat with some of them informally.

It was an eye-opener, especially since we'd just suffered through such an attempted theft experience with a very large collection of rugs shipped back from Turkey in baggage on our plane. They'd gone missing. On that Turkish convention trip had been two of TWA's top executives who warned me if anything ever went missing, don't sit back passively but go to work tracking it immediately.

Unfortunately, they were still in Turkey. But thanks to Jim's legal experience, the FBI was contacted. More about that another time. TSA has approved special locks allowing cases to be opened to search, then relocked. Howeve,r they've had a number of complaints about them not working and being cut open regardless.

We'd not been through Reno for nearly ten years and were stunned by its growth. New housing developments spread out in all directions. Lured by Nevada's status free of any state income tax (neighbouring California's is high) a moderate climate and close accessibility to scenic wonders, it's easy to understand its appeal.

Choice of Reno was based on that fact Jim needed to be in nearby Carson City on a business matter. Once completed, we were free to head off in many directions. Fabled Lake Tahoe was only an hour west so it was easy to make the decision to join him.

Reno departure definitely turned out to be very interesting from a security standpoint. American's check-in at the terminal's far end has an adjoining check-in security facility. You can send your locked bag through and wait.

One can imagine our largest case looked rather interesting observed through the X-ray machine. Two large boxes of the biggest pine cones you will ever see almost filled the case. A bottle of an unusual wine we'd seen only in France was wrapped next to them in many layers of bubble-wrap, carefully taped to protective cardboard.

Why pine cones? Around nine to 12 inches tall, five inches at the base, they sold for $3.50 to $4.50 each at famed Donner Pass Memorial Museum. In places, ground is literally paved with them, free for taking so long as you have a landowner's permission, which we did.

Two normal cased sailed through, then TSA staff came to immediate alert. I offered to unlock the one in question, but an official sternly warned me to "stand back" as thogh explosion was imminent.

I'd mentioned it was full of pine cones and a staffer said we weren't the only ones hauling them home. But in retrospect, it's easy to see they might look like giant hand grenades with explosive liquid beside themn.

"You are the most efficiently thorough packers I've ever encountered,"commented the personable, but very conscientious TSA man.

"You can't believe the careless packing I've seen of very breakable items and abrasive complaints I get from detaining most people.

"You're very affable and pleasant to deal with," he continued. "A bottle of wine in your suitcase is not a forbidden item on American. But I'm just suspicious of anything liquid, especially after the latest reports."

And, frankly, his attention to such detail is fine with us. Good security makes us feel more comfortable. Interestingly, carrying a packed bottle of rare rum Vancouver-Seattle-Chicago in May had attracted no attention.

He confided: "You can't believe what people are still trying to bring on planes . . . box-cutters, knives, all sorts of forbidden items. They just can't seem to get the message.

"And when I have to confiscate something, they say, 'I thought that was all over'."

As we walked away, he bagan cutting open a taped cardboard box with clothes on top but an unusual small box under them. And I was happy someone like him was on the job for our protection.

"Oh yes, I'm very familiar with Reno Airport," a back-home friend told us."I have a steel pin in my hip and my toe, and I get a lot of attention there when we go out for antique car rallyies."

Barely home, another distressing discovery made blazing local headlines.Turned out some 3,800 security badges were missing at O'Hare airport and Chicago's Department of Aviation had also issued high-security passes to illegals using phony Social Security numbers. All allow total entry to every airport facility, including planes.

Help!This investigation is currently under way and a small number of illegals with such creditentials have been located. Stay tuned.

Next week: How a 50-cent travel book helped find a Lake Tahoe Utopia