Re: Security checks for crews are getting to the riduculous!
The security checks are no there to prevent a pilot dieciding, as in Eygptair or Silk air examples, to nose dive. It can't do that. Nor will it prevent any act like that. But again the searches/screening isn't there for that reason.
It's already been pointed out that the idea is to stop a weapon or similar being passed to someone else. Again, it's been mentioned, if AQ. or similar think that crew are an easy route to get things airside they will use it.
Claiming that crew are holders of security passes, so the screening is unessesary is frankly neive. What depth do you think those checks go to? A Counter Terrorist Check, (in the UK)which only reveals a criminal record and if a person is suspected of being involved in terrorism. Not very helpful, of those involved in the tube bombings in the UK, only one would have come up with anything on that check.
Yes, airlines do their own background checks as many big companies do, but that can only go so far, and is easily fooled. Look at the number of reporters who have managed to get jobs at airports.
Deeper vetting is maybe one answer, but even thats not fool proof. Look at Blunt (MI5) and co.
So although it may seem a waste of time, there are reasons behind the searching of crew. It's not going to change, so maybe it's better to just let it go over your head.