Airline security has left much to be desired

To the editor:

In November 1999 my wife and I were returning from a trip to the West Coast. At Los Angeles International Airport we were seated in the boarding area. A young lady sat down by us for a few minutes and then asked if we would watch her carry-on bag while she made a phone call.

We have lived in Jackson since 1988. We have become quite trusting of people, probably too trusting. I told the young lady we would watch her bag. After a minute or two, it occurred to us that travelers are specifically warned against this type of thing.

I immediately told my wife to move away from the bag, and I went to the counter to tell the airline agent about the bag. She said she would take care of it later.

As it turned out, the young lady did come back for her bag. The fact remains, however, this could well have been a bomb, and the airline employee did not care enough to make a call to security.

Due to having serious health problems immediately after returning home, I failed to report the incident to the airline. I wonder: Would it have really done any good?

JERRY MITCHELL

Jackson, Mo.