LexPassenger,

I agree! First off, aviation accidents are somewhat of a national obsession--accidents make great news stories despite their statistical infrequency. Terrorist attacks to airplanes are even rarer, but are so emotionally disturbing that they blind our eyes to real risks.

Barry Glassner wrote a great book called "Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things." It's a poignant discussion by a sociologist about how we've become shortsighted in the analysis of real risks.

I think of SARS as the perfect example. Thus far, there have been no confirmed deaths in the United States since the known beginning of the epidemic in February. Every day, about 1100 Americans die from smoking-related causes, another 750 die of diseases directly related to obesity.

In terms of air transportation, the statistically demonstrated risks are from cuases like an unfastened seatbelt and mechanical failures, not air piracy.

I am dismayed by the interviews on the local news. Time and again, these passengers say "Oh, I don't mind a 3-hour wait. Anything for security!"

It seems that these people would gladly board a plane with no fuel or a half an engine as long as security appeared to be thorough. They're probably the same people who consume a pack of Camels every day but are scared to death of SARS.