el#,
I do not believe anyone goes to work thinking of 9/11. However every company is given advice by security experts on how to deal with risk. From that their ops manual dictates how we tackle the issue. I personally wish for the good old days where flying was a more personal pastime & included inviting pax to the flight deck (even for the landing).
The problem in this case seems to be a general one of lack of respect, in a minority on both sides. I have heard rudeness from both pax & crew. It is not required or reasonable. In either case I will speak to the offender.