This is not a unique case. Back to July 2002 I recall being in JFK in a restaurant and being served with a "real" knife and at the time thought how stupid all my time in security was. Pretty much now any airport restuarant you go to that is above "fast food"/Convenience food class has real metal knives.

Personally I think security should take place at the gate when you board not way back at ticketing. This would allow people to wait for the plane at the gate with folks leaving, would allow you to meet people at the gate, it would help the shops and restaurants in airports who are now seeing a TON less business than before 9/11 because non-flyers arent allowed past security to get to them and it would also be better protection. there are a zillion things between security and the gate one can buy or find that would not make it through screening.