First of all, when going through security, you're asked to show your DRIVER'S license. Not your pass to get in/out of Cogress.

Secondly, even if he had his entourage with him, it isn't like they wear tags saying 'I'm with so-and-so'.

Thirdly, most people don't know who their own state senators/represenatives/congressman are. So why assume that the guards working would know someone else's state rep?

Fourth, from the sounds of it he was traveling commercial. If so, then nobody in security would have been assigned to him to rush him through the security parts...Non-Commercial flights, such as the VIP treatment sorts, would have ushered him from his car to a private waiting area, then onto the plane. Which usually bi-passes any and all security checks. So that alone shows he wasn't accessing perferential means of transportation. He opted to go through as 'John Doe'...

Fifth point here...Credentials and IDs can be faked. If someone is wishing harm to the plane's passengers, why should you be assuming that they're entering the plane legitamitly? It would be easy for them to create ID pretending to be someone else, even a congressman, with the odds stacked for them, that the security guards wouldn't know if that individual was really a congressman or not.

Sure, the idea of forbidding a PB&J sandwhich sounds silly on the surface. But for those responsible for the security of the passengers, those setting up the federal guidelines of what could be used to pose a serious threat to passengers, they're more aware of what is used, can be used, then the majority of us here.

It's kind of like questioning moderating on the site...The average Joe/Jane isn't privey of how to make bombs. How to hide bombs. Or even what materials could be used to turn into lethal weapons. But those assigned to that task, who have put a great deal of study into those threats, do know the basics and possibilities. Plus they keep themselves updated on changes and what's going on.

I'd rather put my trust in them, then try to second guess their actions. Because of my own ignorance in making weapons, my second guessing them has a better chance of killing innocents then those who's jobs are specifically to halt such attempts.