Sadly I think many of you are giving the Security staff at airports an undeserving hard time. There are several points I want to make:
DfT issued a list of items after September 11th that as part of Heightened Security Measures were no longer allowed access into an Airports Restricted Zone or onto aircraft. This obviously affects airports in UK only; although many European airports devised the same list. As well as restricting items that are allowed through Security in British airports it also applies to equipment onboard British registered aircraft - hence why there is no metal cutlery on Britsh AIrways but is on another (unnamed) European airline mentioned in an earlier post.
As well as listing specific items the list says that anything else that might be used as a weapon should not be allowed.
Some items are confiscated because in the wrong hands they pose a threat, rather than being a threat in the hands of the person bringing it through Security.
Yes there are other items available which could, potentially be used against an aircraft, it's crew or passengers but Security is a deterant and threat levels continuosuly assessed by DfT.
If, of course, you experience something that makes no sense -then question it with the Security personnel or their Supervisor or manager. If there are unjustified miss-understandings then these can be dealt with by the management when they are aware.
Unfortunately in a time where nothing is black and white there will be miss-understandings, but let's work together and support eachother or take mature steps to get explanation or change . . . . thank you all - safe flying!