Make your f*cking minds up

On a recent trip to the UK, I flew from Detroit to Amsterdam then on to Manchester, England.
At Detroit, I checked one piece of luggage and had my two carry-on pieces approved, so three pieces of luggage total. A suitcase, a laptop and a backpack containing my cameras, digital and film plus two rolls of film.
Everything went according to schedule and I arrived in Britain for a four week stay.
The film camera is a modified Ansco SpeedEx, altered to pinhole. I usually carry this or another medium format pinhole camera with me on such trips. During the trip, I shot two rolls of black and white film through the pinhole camera and repacked it in my carry-on luggage for the return trip.
Imagine my surprise during check in in at Manchester airport, when I was informed that I could only take one piece of carry-on luggage.
"what happened to the two pieces I was allowed on the inbound trip, with the same airline and the reverse of the same route", I asked politely.
"it's due to the American security requirements after the failed bombing attempt over Detroit on Christmas Day 2009", I was told by the ticket agent.
I asked how could I be allowed two pieces of carry on, out of the USA, yet only be allowed one piece coming back. This was a totally ridiculous situation, and I found it extremely difficult to keep from venting my annoyance on the ticket agent. Luckily, I bit my tongue severely and asked what my options were.
I was informed that the extra piece of carry-on could be checked in at no charge, but that left me with the choice of waving goodbye to my laptop, or to my cameras, medication etc. I opted to keep the laptop with me and take my chances on the rest. Unfortunately, during this incident, I left my two rolls of exposed film in the newly checked backpack. Now they would be subject to a full dose of high powered X-Ray and as any photographer will tell you, this is usually the kiss of death to film. Of course when I was sat in the plane, I see passengers with two, sometimes three carry-on bags, WTF!
Upon arrival back in Detroit, all my luggage made it unscathed and I returned home.
After checking the airline websites, airport websites, security websites, I find that the issue is Manchester airport and their somewhat anal approach to security. Guess what folks, if you forgot your little plastic Ziploc bag for your personal items, you can purchase a plastic bag, inside the secure section, for 1 Great British Pound, they think of everything!
I'm all for the increased security levels as a safeguard to keep our airlines terrorist free, but I think it's high time for an international code of conduct and rules for travelers. Airports can be stressful at the best of times, without adding all this extra BS on unsuspecting patrons.
As a footnote, I was able to salvage most of the images from the "zapped" film using the stand development technique.
So before you travel by air, check out the return trip as well as the outbound trip requirements.
I remember the time, not too long ago, when you could indeed "Fly the friendly skies"