As an LAME I often work at different airports within Germany. I noticed that the interpretation of the new EU security rules varies with the different states (as in Germany police and security is a state, not a federal matter).
E.g. in one airport I've got to identify myself with an electronic fingerprint (no chance of another person using my badge, if the fingerprint doesn't match the badge the door won't open), but there is no physical search.
At another airport everybody who enters the "critical area" (passenger ramp, pax waiting rooms, baggage sorting rooms, everywhere where searched pax and their baggage is present), we need to get patted down in front of the passengers, which is especially funny if you carry your normal hardware (Leatherman tool, pocket knife, screw drivers etc.) in your pocket, followed by the stupid questions if I need the tools to do my job. Or the incredible look in face of the security agent when I pushed my toolbox (full of heavy, sharp or pointed bits of metal) through the x-ray scanner.
We get searched at least 5-6 times every day. On the other hand this airport has security holes you could drive a truck through.
I think the whole thing is about politics and "perceived security", to make the punters feel well and the politicos to show that they are doing something.
Like e.g. declaring the area around the government buildings in Berlin a no-fly zone (it is just about two flying minutes north of THF). They even wanted the Luftwaffe to base Hawk missiles around there, until a military officer explained to the politicians what would happen if they started launching AA missiles in the middle of a city.
Jan