OK to start with lets accept the fact that security at american airports before the incidents was simply appalling. im sure its changed now (i hope it has anyway) but at LAX last year i asked where i could light up and was told to go outside, which i did, and on the way back to the gate which was handling domestic as well as international flights i had to go through 1 metal detector but did not have to show my passport or a ticket
i think we can all see the problem there.
off topic sorry, the point of this post was to say that a nice "airline security specialist" has just told the world viewers of a certain cable news network exactly how he managed to smuggle a gun onto a flight. simplicity itself and now in the public arena.
guys i really dont know what you do against a determined hijacker, but im not entirely sure that an arms race is the answer, but consider this, who has jurisdiction at FL 330? is the sky Marshall patrolling his beat for the chief or under the direction of the captain who of course is responsible for the safety of all on board. id check this one out with your union representatives. id say that federal law has priority but politicians have shown no appetite for underwriting aircraft & airline security up to now, which is what they would be doing, but i suppose now its a whole new ball of wax.