Plitdownman,
I with you, it is mainly all for show, we know that , but it makes 'Joe Public' feel safe so it will stay - for 6 months at least.
Theatrical? Maybe that should be 'Prescriptive', as Philip Hammond here points out. i.e. Yes we can all be just as safe, but there are other ways and means of doing it without irritating our passengers and crew who are subjected to it, everytime they fly/work.
BBC News - Airport restrictions to stay for months, says transport secretary