The posts in this thread have been about TSA. You are comparing apples to oranges when you bring up airport security toting submachine guns in Europe. These are the security forces that are present in the aiports for a very real reason. Somehow I don't feel threatened by these people, even if they pack enough fire power to flatten the terminal. They are there for a very good reason and they know the responsibilities that come with the equipment they carry.

The "TSA" counterparts in Europe are always very curtios, I have never met any that have given me half the attitude that I have experienced from TSA. They have superior equipment to that being used here. No need to take the laptops out, for instance.

In a very un-PC comment, I must say, however, that the shoe nazis have succeeded in what the real nazis never did: invade Switzerland. They have a limited bridgehead though, only US bound flights are subject to their treatment. Intra-Europe flights are still being treated in a more humane manner.