How reassuring that responsible professionals feel that the emphasis on security is 'absolute nonsense'!!!
Boofhead you must be in dreamland if you think that security in the US is as tight as in the UK and some European states. It certainly doesn't seem to be way over the top to those of us used to UK standards over the last 10 years. There have been some very successful seizures by security which haven't been made public so as not to cause alarm. Those who need to know have been fully informed.
Sure people lie on their references, just the same as they do on their tax returns. The fact is it is getting more difficult to get away with the deceit.
Unless I am mistaken Aircrew have the same financial and personal pressures as we lesser mortals. These pressures could result in them taking a one-off payment to assist a person out to create trouble. I would feel very aggrieved if they were ever exempted from the Security checks. To the postee who pleaded that they would never stoop so low, great news, but unfortunately there might be others who would, so go through the checks and make life more difficult for the bad sheep.
Until we have politicians and 'freedom fighters' who accept the power of peaceful negotiation we will continue to require enhanced security because we work in a 'spectacular' industry.