"Locks are for the honest" as we say in sweden.
What we mean by this is that airport security is to make the opertunist stay on the right side of the law. Those who are determined to highjack a plane will succede in doing this, security or no security!
I feel that all the added security is only to make things "look as if somethings being done to improve the situation". And it is all very contradictory to the fact that our industry is trying to become more effective! This show is simply working against growth.
If airport security is to do any good at all this would mean alterations to the extent that people most probably would find some other way to travel (domestic flights...). I mean fo example: Even tighter screenings and more limitations on what is allowed to bring onboard, no café's on airside, no shops on airside, security around the baggage belt, secuity in and around the gates, more security on the apron and perhaps even scanner just before entering the aircraft. It would be impossible both economically and physically to implemet these changes. If the job can't be done completely, it better not be done at all!
And, working as a caterer at ARN, I know pretty much what kind of stuff is onboard the aircraft that we work on and I can say that a lot of these items can be used to aid a highjack. Cockpit cuttlery for example... (usually metal).
best regards/lns