HELPING CONSUMERS

In response to the editorial "State Must Keep Better Watch on Lenders" (Aug. 30), the nonprofit Pennsylvania Association of Mortgage Brokers believes that one of the best ways to remove unscrupulous individuals from the industry is to have all loan originators licensed, not just the business owner, regardless of what type of company they work for.

The PAMB has introduced a bill to the state Legislature for the past three years that calls for licensing of all loan originators. Unfortunately, our bills have never progressed .

Requiring every loan originator in the state to be licensed would provide an opportunity to assign a tracking number so that if an individual perpetuates any form of abusive lending on Pennsylvania consumers, he will not simply be able to change jobs to avoid detection. Along with a license number for tracking purposes, the PAMB bill also calls for a criminal background check, pre-licensure education and continuing education for as long as professionals operate in our business.

We think that the Department of Banking would be better served by increasing enforcement of other regulations that are already on the books and allowing the market to continue to correct itself as it has been doing for the past six months.

FRANK BOWERSOX, president, Pennsylvania Association of Mortgage Brokers, Harrisburg

GROUNDED

I am not a frequent traveler -- one or two flights a year -- but before, I flew only US Airways. The flights were direct, at convenient times and usually around the same price that I could find on other airlines. After having the unfortunate experience of going through Philadelphia and losing my luggage on my way to a cruise, I now do whatever I can to fly other airlines.

I am so angry that US Airways chose Philadelphia to be its hub that any loyalty that I felt to the airline has been totally destroyed. I feel very bad for the employees who are left here in Pittsburgh but my sympathy for them isn't enough to overcome the inconvenience and aggravation of going through Philadelphia.

My husband and I are flying to New York this winter and I could have flown US Airways but I chose not to because of the layover in Philadelphia. We're flying Jet Blue to New York and Southwest home -- with a layover in Baltimore.

I still cannot believe that the decision to pull out of Pittsburgh's airport in favor of Philadelphia's was a good one. I plan on using any other airline whenever I can so that they don't pull out of Pittsburgh.

PEGGY BLOCH, Natrona Heights

WHAT ABOUT US?

Don Hammonds needs an attitude adjustment or needs to move on and pursue other endeavors. Am I the only one sick and tired of reading about all the bells and whistles on the latest $200,000 Bentley? ("Opulent Bentley Screams for Attention and Receives It," Sept. 14).

It appears that high-end cars are all Mr. Hammonds seems interested in writing about (i.e., driving) these days.

I would venture to say the majority of mere peons like myself would find reviews and comparisons of the vehicles we "commoners" are likely to buy much more worthwhile.

It is rather obvious Mr. Hammonds thinks that writing a column that provides the average prospective car buyer some useful information is just plain boring and beneath his status and dignity.

MARK STEINER, Canonsburg

SEARCH AND OFFEND

Some people feel that bag searches are trivial and should be allowed without protest. ("Retailers Check Receipts at Front Door to Combat Losses from Theft -- But at What Cost?", Sept. 19).

Of course, that is their decision. However, it doesn't change the fact that a person cannot legally be compelled to have his or her bag searched. It becomes private and personal property past the point of purchase.

As you mentioned in your article, many of these checks are located just a few feet from the checkout. This is because their primary function is to catch "sweethearting," or employee theft, and not customer theft. Retailers know that most customer theft will involve the merchandise being hidden on their person and not in the shopping bag.

Employee theft is preventable in many different ways that don't involve hassling or intimidating customers. Retailers that employ bag-checkers are simply taking the lazy way out and putting the burden of inventory control on the backs of their clientele.

I also refuse to have my bag checked. Certainly it would be easier to just succumb, but I can't tolerate the way retailers try to make the customers believe they don't have a choice. I also don't like being treated as a potential thief after I have just given them my hard-earned money. It is bad business practice and just plain rude.

I also will no longer patronize Best Buy due to its extremely aggressive security practices.

MATT BAXTER, Chicago