I think really and truthfully we've all heard enough on whether or not security staff are competent at their jobs don't you?? We have foul mouthed, homophobic, arrogant son's of
who are aptly titled pilots..... there are also people who work for security who seem a little cack handed with their searches and a little obnoxious. It's already been said that we shouldn't tar each of our 'kind' with the same brush. I agree that (as crew) we have things on the aircraft that could be used as offensive weapons axes, oxygen bottles, anything. Rules however silly we think they are, are there for a reason. You visit the USA you have to take your jacket off when you pass through security (As a minimum) common sense prevails here folks. We expect security to look out for us, we don't get to see whats in our pax bags, we don't get the opportunity to check out those pax who look a bit suspect. Why don't we leave the security side of things to the people who are actually paid to deal with security. If you (pilots) got some security agent telling you what speed to lower your flaps you'd be a bit p****d off too no?! Improvements are needed in all areas of the aviation industry, aircrew are taught CRM it doesn't just 'go' on the aircraft.
Just remeber next time you go through security, the guy frisking probably doesn't want to have to put his hands anywhere near half the smelly old gits out there he's just doing a job however poorly you think he's doing it!