Bofhead writes:
Now the burden of inspection of checked baggage has been added, despite no history of risk, leading to real problems with theft, loss and damage, not to say the hassles this gives the travelling public. And this is not the end of it; there will be more stupidity in the name of "security" added before long.
I understand the frustration, but your logic is somewhat perverse.
Firstly, the 'history of risk' regarding checked baggage is well established - with an unhappy trail that goes back many decades.
Secondly, your 'history of risk' argument supports the premise that obvious vulnerabilities should not be acted upon until some fresh disaster has demonstrated their relevance. If aviation were operated that way up to now, we'd all still be walking - and glad of it.
Aviation does not have an open-ended franchise for growth and prosperity. Some marvel that it has held up as well as the recent record shows, given that a large majority of trips - even those for business - are highly discretionary.
Public interest and trust in aviation are demonstrated by the still historically high levels of air travel as we experience the unfortunate coincidence of a global economc downturn, increase of high-profile terrorism and dramatic recent improvements in electronic communications that can be used by nearly everyone, everywhere, to reduce or supplant travel.
Whether you regard it as theatre or substance, I personally believe many travelers (and also many airline people) appreciate the perceived incremental gain in their own safety and security which results from heightened inspection protocols.
Yes, it's a nuisance, but so is all the noise and up and down and kerosene that go with the process. We're going through some rough weather - for which special procedures make sense to most of the fare-payers.