Your suggestions make too much sense, and would lessen the profits of the companies that make the X-ray screening machines.

But yes, I see no reason for all this security theater. Compare the number of planes brought down by terrorism since 2001 (or since the beginning of commercial aviation) with the number brought down by mechanical failure, pilot error, or bad weather.

What would really make us safer in the air, far more than any security theater, would be more stringent equipment checks and double-checks and assurance that pilots were well-rested, psychologically sound, and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.