You're right, it could be very severe, but there is an interesting paradox concerning that. If the perception is that we are being as diligent about airport security as we can, and we are spending billions on it, if an attack comes, I suspect that the nation will be *very* depressed economically because the sense will be that we can't solve the problem. On the other hand, if security looks lax and there are obvious things that we can do to tighten it up, then another attack would really do no more than oust the current security leadership and force more apparent diligence. So, it appears that shooting for more appearance of security now is not without its price.