Because those "harmless" pointy objects (well, edged objects) brought down four aircraft, two skyscrapers, and killed thousands of people.

We may find many of these policies relatively ineffective and pointless, but the average public still seems to think it makes them safer. And with the media hyping every breach as the "next 9/11", the government telling us terrorism can happen "any minute" (Code Yellow) and occasionally telling us it is even more probable (Code Orange), the average public continues to show fear about flying - it's the ultra low fares that are convincing them to "take their chances".

Prior to 9/11, people could take four-inch blades aboard a plane. Then a handful of people use frelling boxcutters to pull off 9/11. Is it any wonder the public demanded everything with a point be yanked?

The problem with this policy now is cockpit doors are now essentially invulnerable to everything short of an assault rifle or the Jaws of Life. Which is why the TSA has "lightened up" a little (they now allow nail files again, I think).

Still, they need to "lighten up" more. For one, the metal detectors are still set way too sensative (I have never set off a detector at any government facility, while the same outfit is guaranteed to set off an airport detector.

Also, while I do not support bringing knives back aboard, things like scissors and such should not be banned items as they cannot penetrate a cockpit and the flight attendants and passengers are now considered "expendable", so it would not (or should not) change the minds of the flight crew in a hostage situation.

Unfortunately, Richard Reid made shoes a weapon. I'm not sure how an x-ray helps detect plastic explosive (can it be seen?), but at least they are not swabbing them for explosives (that would really slow things down).

Of course, the future is things like the backscatter x-ray machine and the "personal explosives sniffer" used at the CN Tower, for example. That way, people do not have to "disrobe" and can just spend a few moments in the scanner, be cleared, and move on. This should help reduce waits and would negate the need for secondary screening, which I think help contributes to the "traffic jam" as SS'ed folks come back to grab their goodies or their companions stand around waiting for them.

[This message has been edited by SEA_Tigger (edited 07-11-2003).]