Appollo,
Giving the passengers confidence is precisely the worst thing that we can do.
Careful examination of the risk indicates that effectively preventing access from the cabin to the flight deck may be part of the solution. But, you'd have to prevent lots of other things too:
(i) The possibility of the flight deck crew being shot from the cabin;
(ii) The possibility of anything being introduced into the cabin air which will reach the flight deck;
(iii) The possibility of explosive or certain electronic devices getting into the passenger cabin or other areas and affecting the aircraft or its critical systems;
(iv) The possibility of the aircraft being interfered with by those on the ground (SAM, laser, etc);
(v) The possibility of 'sleeper' agents gaining the necessary qualifications and employment with airlines to put them in the flight deck;
(vi) The possibility of those who have access to the aircraft's deep internal structure being hostile;
Bear in mind that these objectives will have to be achieved worldwide, not just in Europe.
etc.
Extra baggage searching will leave the public content that safety has been improved, and will disrupt a logical and careful progression towards safety.
Anyone care to argue with that?
[ 15 September 2001: Message edited by: NorthernSky ]