Well, now I can draw my own conclusions about your thinking patterns as well, LarryJ. You seem to think that we can afford to focus all our efforts trying to prevent the most improbable of situations and that if there's a microscopically-probable way for the terrorists to use pool cues to hijack airplanes and fly them into buildings, they by God they will do it. Sorry, I don't believe that for a second.
The terrorists exploited our willingness to cooperate with hijackers. That is the fundamental reason 11 Sept. happened. It did not happen because we did not have a ban on box cutters. Yet somehow you feel that by driving passengers away with these intrusive searches for "weapons" even McGuyver couldn't exploit that we will be so much safer while our airlines' economic health approaches flatline.
A most illogical stance for someone whose livelihood is tied to the economic success of the airlines, I must say.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spiff:
Also, like I said... I question the TSA's credibility and common sense and I think that just believing everything the TSA says is even stupider than relying on the passengers to prevent another hijacking. Furthermore, I restate my other comment: it's stupid to think we have endless resources and can afford to keep trying to plug the smallest and most improbable of holes.
As far as I am concerned, the probability of the passengers not stopping another hijacking is extremely low. So low that I am willing to drop these asinine (stupid) random harassments at both the gate and at the checkpoints.</font>
"In 1993 they increased the World Trade Center's defenses against car bombs and many figured that they wouldn't try attacking there again. Al Queda adjusted their tactics and attacked again.
In order to give the passengers of a hijacked airplane the best chance possible it is important to limit the effectiveness of the weapons that can be brought onboard.
There is another aspect that Spiff's one dimentional thinking is missing. Prior to 9/11, the primary goal of airport security was to protect the crew and passengers on the airplane. After 9/11 the protection of important targets on the ground has become the primary goal but the protection of the crew and passengers is still a very close second."
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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry