Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on your viewpoint), as annoying, and as pointless as this may seem to you, much of this is about the authorities having a phyiscal presence, aviation security is similar..........a bit like having Bobbies on the Beat.
Drugs, contraband, bombs, immigrants etc etc.........of course the powers that be will never ever stop all of them, but having that visual detterent will make a difference at that particular port
I am all for profilling personally, and you can bet your a*se the HMC official knows damn well the bucket and spade brigade aren't doing anything wrong.....but they have to be seen to be doing the right thing.
Grit your teeth, smile, answer nicely and we can all go on our merry way
