I don’t remember now exactly what year it was, but I was flying from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. with precious cargo in my carry-on: cassette (!) recordings of interviews I had just completed with women who had starred in some of the earliest radio soap operas and comedy shows.

There had been news stories out about people stealing bags from security checkpoints and these interviews were destined to be part of a documentary to air on NPR, so I was determined not to let my equipment bag out of sight.

Once past the checkpoint metal detector I rushed to get my bag, rudely pushing past a very tall person I imagined was eyeing my bag.

Two other people moved in a bit closer.

I looked up.

Yup – U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and what I realized later was probably her security team.

My bags were safe. Me? Maybe not..

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