Security Again.

Money and madness - again: In the US, airport security is administered by the Transportation Security Administration. (TSA)

It's a stressful job needing high calibre staff, but unlike Israel the people at the front lines of the battle to keep the skies safe are among the lowest paid of all federal employees; and they have one of the highest injury rates. This is due to lifting heavy bags. Plus much of the time there is a lot of standing and staring intently at monitors.

Salaries, which start at about US$25,000 are one of the lowest rates in the federal government.

Unbelievable as it may seem the agency has been without a permanent chief since President Obama took office. In the usual American fouled up system all the Government heads change with a change of Government.

Obama's last nominee withdrew because he was blocked by some Senate Republicans who object to giving transportation security officers the right to bargain for a contract.

The right to bargain for a contract. Are they mad. Yes.