Defeated

I have to admit that I had an eerily similar experience at Logan Airport around a month ago where I opted out. I was given a very difficult time, the TSA agent repeated multiple times that I should just go through the machine and that I'd be exposed to more radiation on the airplane etc. They kept calling for a "male assist.

I waited it out for like 25 minutes and finally the guy came and took me through. But it was such an annoying experience that I'd since given up on it.

I had the exact same experience at SEA several weeks ago: I waited well over 30 minutes, had to remind the TSA officer numerous times that I was still standing there. He was not bothered one bit that I'd been standing there for so long. Which is rude in and of itself.

Then some other TSA officer walked by and started talking to the one in my security line. Just some chit chat. After 5 or so minutes, he started asking why I didn't want to go in the machine. Did I realize this was not an X-ray? Did I realize that this was in fact perfectly healthy?

Then, after letting me wait another few minutes, this same TSA officer took me and performed the search ritual, not hurried one bit, doing everything with the greatest pauses, all the while chewing extravagantly on his chewing gum.

If that's not unprofessional, then what is?

Ok, so maybe "extremely" was a bit much. In my defense I think leaving is much simpler at this point than hoping that the current course of politics and public sentiment in the US will change.

> 1) Barriers to work and emigration

While real, they can be overcome. Also, I'd wager there will be something of a domino effect -- once other countries begin to catch on that well educated, highly trained Americans are looking to leave, it will likely become easier to do so.

> 2) Language barriers

One, you'd be amazed how much you can get across non-verbally. Two, it might take years to become conversational in a language, but probably only a handful of months to get good enough to do the daily shopping. Three...what everyone else has said: if you know English, there are very few places in the world where you'll ever be completely unable to communicate with someone.

> 3) A lot of us have family support systems that aren't easy to give up

Yeah, I understand completely ;-)...

My mother was born in the same house in Switzerland where my grandfather and his brothers and sisters grew up. My great-uncle lived in that same house until the day he died, and my great-aunts still live in the same village to this day. I can only imagine how hard it was for my grandfather and grandmother to give all that up and move their three children to America in the '50s, but they truly believed, at the time, that it was worth it.

At the same time, while I do have family where I live now, I also had to leave behind a large family in the US. Airline tickets are expensive, but manageable for at least once yearly visits. Video chat is all but ubiquitous. Time zones differences are the hardest to manage, but still doable (http://everytimezone.com/ helps, even though they still don't have my time zone).

I don't like that I now feel like I had to leave, though I am very glad that I did leave.

Living in another country, even if only temporarily, is something I would recommend to anyone in any country. A friend is currently living abroad for a year with his two school-age kids, and he seems to be having a blast so far. It will certainly improve your ability to gain perspective. It may change your outlook on life. Certainly, when I left I still harbored the notion that at some future time I might return...I don't feel that way any longer.

May I suggest Germany? At least in regards to your first point, they have recently relaxed barriers. Right now all you need is a four-year degree in order for you to come and look for work for up to 6 months. The chances of anyone reading this finding work are extremely high because there's a shortage of skilled professionals.

http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/

Or, start out studying for a Master's degree first to get comfortable with the country. (Many are taught in English,and would be free. I can recommend certain programs if anyone is interested).

When was this? Heathrow doesn't currently use back scatter [1].

[1] http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow-airport-guide/heathr...