Maybe its me, but I sense that security is more lax the ever. Last week I went throught the metal detector at EWR wearing a big heavy watch that always sets if off. This time, nada. It was crowded and I assume that they turned down the sensitivity.
More troubling is my experience on Sunday at CDG. In the past I have always found it to be very security conscious. Sunday, no one asked me ANY questions (did you pack your own bags, etc.), the little security stickers were no longer put on my carry-ons, etc. Once again, they were very busy. One of the two banks of emmigration booths was closed resulting in ererybody having to use the other. Of course, there were 4 officers checking documents. The problem was, once the people from 4 lines cleared the booths, they all had to funnel through ONE metal detector. The other 3 next to it were unmanned. As the lines backed up further and further, they eventually opened another, but I spent a frustrating 20 minutes standing still. To the x-ray machine operator's credit, he asked me if I had a knife in my carry on. I did. I had a small pen knife I always carry with me in my toiletries kit. When I told him that it was a pen knife I use to cut cheese, he said OK, and off I went. If it was real security, and not a rush with a long line, he should have asked to see it.
I hope we don't have another tragedy to get security back to where it means something.