I think they make a terrorist attack less likely, just by making it more complicated.  Security measures don't really prevent crime, they just shift it to an easier target.

 I've read that homeland security finally figured out that random checks give them more bang for the buck, since there is then no way to disguise oneself as a 'less likely' target, and no way to manipulate it.  I don't know if they have implemented any of it. 

 I feel safer flying, more because I think terrorists have probably shifted targets.  I would feel less safe than I used to if I were at a crowded event, like 4th of July on the Washington Mall.

I definitely feel safer flying, but sometimes I think security goes a little overboard. Nothing you can really do though, I suppose.

Sounds good, but only in theory. Lets say there are 3 terrorists. Random checks may catch 2 if they are lucky, but one is going to get through.

Also the officials have been surprised over and over by the ideas those guys had (like the liquid stuff for making bombs).

Don't you think that they could always find a way?

I am just throwing out thoughts, overall I feel somewhat safer too, and if its just an illusion it still serves a purpose. 

Since they can't do full checks on everyone, as you would need to arrive at the airport 24 hours in advance (I went through a full check in Singapore, and it took a long, long time), homeland security was doing things that were predictable, like every so many people.  This would allow terrorists to know who was going to go through the full check and adapt accordingly.  With a random system, there is no chance of being sure that you won't be checked, thus making planes a less attractive alternative than some other form of terrorism.  Since they will never be able to make sure every passenger is 'clean', all they can do is make the odds of being caught seem too high to be worth the effort.

 That's all security of any sort is, anyway.  If you don't want to be pickpocketed, you make yourself a harder target than everyone else.  You really can't eliminate pickpockets.

I feel bad and confused when you can borrow the wine bottles but you can buy inside of airport(duty-free).

Does anybody understand that last comment?

I dont understand that post, but yes I think it will make Terrorist attacks less likely to happen, but at the same time there allways going to think of new things to get weapons on board. Bad thing is, when traveling I like to have electronics, but some contries dont allow any electronics or beverages on a plain anymore. The security makes you more safe, but also extremely bored. When on a place for 7 hours, you need SOMETHING to do!

Try reading books.  Or if you like games, you might like puzzles.  Take along one of those puzzle magazines, a book of crossword puzzles or soduko puzzles.  People seem to forget that electronic games are fairly new.  Of course, I love it when I get one of the planes with the in-seat TVs and I get to watch movies when I want and play some simple games too.

I think he meant to say that he wonders why you have to drop the stuff at the security checkpoint and then you can buy the same stuff in the duty free shops again. 

Well, if they check every 4th person (usually its even less), this means if one person carries a bomb the chance of him being caught is 25% (1/4). The chance of two people with the same bomb being caught is 6.25% (1/4*1/4) and if three people carry a bomb the chance of being caught is 1.56% (1/4*1/4*1/4). Basically they have a chance of success that is over 98%.

Pretty lousy odds if you ask me. Doesn't make me feel any more secure.

Now in my example I assumed uncorrelated checks. Chances are if one has been found it becomes harder for others to slip through as they get more aware, but the odds of catching all will still drop (maybe not as fast as in my example).

Yes, but those odds work different. Now the odds for you getting pickpocketed go down but those of others go slightly up (because of you). As you said, the overall number of thefts doesn't go down.

But the airport security example would require the overall number to drop.

TT

I think life is too short to worry too much. Security is tight enough for me.

Here are some stats of my own:

There are approx. 30 Million flights in the US each year. Since Sept. 2001 thats roughly 180 Million flights. Out of those 4 crashed due to terrorism on 9/11 and that was with much looser security.

Those numbers are enough to make me feel as safe as it gets. I think it might be more likely to die from shingle falling off your roof.

I need my gadgets too. How else could I stand a 12h flight with yapping passengers and crying babies on board if I couldn't use my noise reducing headphones and some good music.

I have never heard of any airline prohibiting electronics. For me that would be a total disaster, since I have a backpack stuffed full of this stuff (maybe I should post a photo of my photo backpack that is full of camera gear, lenses and a laptop).

I can't have my expensive camera stuff thrown into the luggage compartment.

Andre

http://www.aguntherphotography.com

Well the fact is I loved flying before 9-11 and I still like flying. Never have I felt that I would be in danger when i'm at the airport. The security I do not mind. It really is not a hastle. I think of security as just part of the experience of flight.

I dont have a fear of flying at all, to be honest, I love flying. I just forget about all that HAS happend, and think about where im going.