Two questions:

1. Anybody know how the post 9/11 measures introduced in the U.S. (e.g. no nail clippers) compare to those at European airports and/or at TLV?

2. Are the above airports regularly tested in a similar way and does anyone have any figures on failure rates?

I remember when flying Ryanair out of Hahn (little more than an airstrip), the security people there could speak at least German AND English fluently, and noticed the scissors in my backpack and measured them to see if they need to keep them. This is better than I've usually experienced when flying in the U.S.

As for TLV, at least in the 70's, they used to hire college students (who had succesfully completed their 2/3 years in the IDF) to do security. That's how my parents met (they both took the job to get through college).


Other comments:

Neal I hope you sent a copy to your congressperson. I think they might care more to hear your opinion than the $8 an-hour FAA employee (ex-airport security guard promoted for having basic literacy) who will put your correspondence into the dead letter box.

NoStressHere

Are you suggesting that it's not possible to improve the current state of airport security in the U.S.?
What about the fact that Israel (popular target) has been very effective in preventing hijakings in the last two decades?

Yonatan