It is only because it sometimes causes so much annoyance to the victims (crew etc) that the below average security person does this, so if you do not respond, they get no satisfaction, therefore you 'win'! Eventually they'll get bored. ......... On a bad day of course we can all be tired and respond.
At a certain Uk airport we now check our suitcases through a handling agent to circumnavigate the below average intelligence security staff, they are then delivered to our aircraft where we have full access to them as we only carry cargo. (now sometimes that includes shampoo bottles over 100 ml in size!)
In truth its a lack of education of these individuals that allows this to go on,therefore the companies employing them and the airport authorities employing these companie that are responsible. Its no good trying to reason with a neandathol, take their name and report them( if you want some fun ask them to spell it!) to everyone who would have an interest in it (manager,airport manager,your company manager,your union,mp,mep.) If the same names keep coming up then it will highlight a problem individual,shift,airport,etc.
with email this wouldn't be too time consuming.(for some of you wizz's out there)I guess it could warrant a web site? answers on a postcard please
T2