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The answer is to pack items for which you might get a partial reimbursement from your home-owners' or renters' insurance, and ship your valuables via FedEx or UPS to your destination. Don't forget to insure your valuables with the shipper.

Kenneth E. Wray, Gaithersburg

I JUST WENT through security at BWI, Detroit and Milwaukee and handed a clear plastic bag to the TSA agent containing my 12 pills per day (for each of four days) in an unlabeled clear plastic case, with a doctor's- office-produced printout describing the contents. All agents waved me through without further inspection. Had they confiscated them, I had a duplicate supply in my checked baggage.

Altogether, the security lines were shorter and faster last weekend than they have been in the recent past. Only once was there a random inspection of carry-ons at the gate. The TSA inspectors appeared to pick on the women, but they were carrying the larger totes.

Paul A. Katz, Laurel

I PLACE MOST of my prescription drugs in small Ziploc bags. I then carefully peel the label from the original pill container and stick it on the bag. This greatly decreases the size.

I also label the bags in big print with a Sharpie pen to make them easier to read.

Always carry your meds -- lost luggage can be forever.

George Newbury, Alexandria

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