Re Yard Lights -

At least in my area the "Yard Lights" commonly installed in rural and/or "semi-rural" areas are considered an important security measure, but have the disadvantage that they're nearly always halide lights that require a special "ignition sequence" to get them turned on. Regulations generally require that a "turn on" be done by a licensed electrician, so it's rather expensive to turn one off if you intend for it to be turned back on. Hence they run 24 hours per day.

Minimum sizes are in the vicinity of about 250 Watts, although common ones run near 1 to 3 KW.

The main purpose is not so you can see to wander around your own yard, since you probably know where all the "trippables" are. The light is to warn any "intruders" that they will be seen if they wander in at night - and to let you see what's going on without going past the kitchen window.

Re - the diaper incident

TSA has asserted that they did NOT insist that the diaper be removed so that they could "strip search" the old lady. They offered her accompanying relative an opportunity to replace the diaper because it was soiled. (There are at least a couple of versions of what was actually requested.)

It's common for airlines to allow an attendant to accompany a handicapped person, if an advance request is made. Although policies vary with the airline, the "attendant" often flies at a reduced rate.

The attendant is expected to provide any special equipment required by the handicapped person, and for someone who needs a diaper a clean diaper would be a reasonably expected thing for anyone "in attendance" to provide. A few common things like a wheel chair for transport from parking to checkin, and sometimes even an attendant to get the person onto the plane can sometimes be provided if request and confirmed arrangements are made in advance.

Even if the complaining relative wasn't accompanying the old lady on the flight, failure to provide for a change on or immediately prior to the flight indicates PPP (piss-poor planning) on the part of whoever was getting her on the plane.

Florida to Michigan is around 2 to 3 hours (depending on transfers, taxi time, etc?) and check-in 2 hours before departure is a standard published requirement. Add about an hour for baggage pickup, and we have a little old lady who's daughter expected her handicapped (and presumedly incontinent) mother to wear one dirty diaper for around 6 hours in an "unusual and stressful situation."

It sounds to me like the daughter who didn't plan appropirately for her mother's needs should be charged with "elder abuse." (But I'll wait for a more complete report from both sides of the dispute.)

John