In addition to the security check, as noted above, Student Licence applications now have a SIX PAGE application form. CFIs used to be able to issue them on the spot! They also require addresses that you have lived at for the last ten years. Pretty funny with sixteen year old students.
Remember the Silk Air Captain who decided to put himself his passengers and a company 737 in the river at Palembang? I bet he had a security pass!
We are from the government we are here to help.
Does everyone feel safer now?