IMHO, the whole security set-up as we know it will be going away provided nothing happens aboard an aircraft that rivals 9/11.

Just like any government agency, budget cutbacks will be inevtiable, then we'll go back to privatized security. I do not see this happening in the immediate future, but I wouldn't rule it out in about three years or so...again, providing nothing else happens.

The only two things I can see that would accelerate this would be more Ted Kennedy no-fly situations happening to the important people and/or technology.

Not to start a political flamewar, but I do think if Bush is re-elected, the TSA will be around longer than if Kerry were to be elected.