I am on my way to Seattle this morning, in order to do a mini UIUC reunion, capped by Chris and Tanya's wedding. The security line at SFO was pretty crazy this morning, there was a throng of people, and it seems like security was heightened (I had to take my shoes off -- a strong indicator). These days, if you have a laptop, you have to take it out of your bag and send it through the X-Ray separately. After getting past the metal detector, you have to wait for your stuff. They can usually people through the metal detector faster then they can X-Ray all of the bags, shoes, belts, and laptops.
Anyway, so I'm waiting for my stuff to come down the line, and a woman has gone through the metal detector, and is waiting behind me. When my PowerBook comes out, she says "nice laptop!".
So, I guess there is one advantage to the new airport security regime.
-Andy.