Well I haven't been to the US either, however, my American friends told me that for Airport Security, it's often a choice of becoming an Airport Screener or working behind the counter at McD's in terms of pay. I can't think that I'd be really happy about earning $5/hour and have to put up with impatient passangers to with the idea that I'm doing it for thair safety. Besides, pay peanuts, get monkeys
(This of course is discounting the very dedicated member of security who ran his metal detector over a FULLY ARMED National Guardsman, who was reporting for duty, to check for concealed weapons - man that cracks me up
)
The feel good factor has my backing
DOME. No screening can be 100% effective anyway. Granted, there could have been a scalple in the guys wallet but that wouldn't stop me if someone threatened me with it while he was trying to take over the aircraft.