My general feeling is that the whole "security" industry that has developed (and industry is exactly what it is - a very self-interested one at that) has become parasitic upon the very host that it depends on for its survival - aviation. If it is an unwise and overaggressive parasite, it will likely strangle and eventually kill the very host it needs for its survival - or as noted above, simply branch out and seek out new industries to strangle. Terrorists, like all humans, are very capable of circumventing virtually any mass-screening process put in place. Anything made by people can be circumvented by other people. Personally I am amazed at the resilience in the general travelling public (let alone those of us that do this professionally) in enduring the ridiculous and OTT indignities to which they are subjected daily.