Some in the United States government were supposedly strongly opposed to ever re-opening DCA, and it does appear that several of the 'security' requirements could have the unintended (or is it intended?) consequence of making it economically infeasible (from a passenger load standpoint) of continuing to operate there.
For example, the stay-in-your-seat rules do not apply to flights leaving BOS for BWI (Baltimore) or IAD (Dulles) even though such flights would follow the same general routing as a flight to DCA. And presumably, during a 75 minute flight from BOS to DCA, passengers could use the lav for a precious 15 minutes while enroute without the plane diverting to the nearest airport. Any hijackers would presumably choose that time to move about the cabin. So the deterrent effect of this stay-in-your-seat rule escapes me. (Even if it was to a provide 30 minute scramble 'window' for the combat air patrol to intercept the plane, the rule does not apply to enroute planes flying over metropolitan Washington.)
And, perhaps with someone taking a cue from Silk Air or Egyptair, pilots are not fully trusted either. Pilots flying into DCA must be dedicated to that route, and it was implied they receive special security and background checks before being allowed to land there. Not heard whether this involves a psychological screening as well.
[Edited for content by SaturnV.]
[ 17 October 2001: Message edited by: SaturnV ]