Flyright, it is absolutely ridiculous to be able to buy a knife past the security checkpoint. I have no idea what they're thinking...
Profiling is a good idea. El Al uses it, and they're known to have the best security in the world. Of course, someone did get through with a knife..not sure if that changed their ranking or not. If they come up with it here, well, so much the better. Anything that can help security is a good thing. I'm just responding to people who seem to think I can tell just by looking at someone if they're dangerous or not. It's impossible. If you go through life judging people by the way they look, then you're the type of person defense attorneys like to have on a jury. Luckily, most people don't go by looks..otherwise, people like Ted Bundy would never have been convicted. We can, and do, look at a person's actions closely. If they act somewhat suspicious, they get a more thorough search. But, there are also people who are, and appear, nervous about flying, not because of security, but they're just afraid of being 30,000 feet above the ground. So we have to take that into consideration. Plus, people without consciences can come through screening and not exhibit any signs of nervousness, agitation, etc. It's possible, that's why people can beat polygraph tests, and they aren't admissable in court. A terrorist can fall into this category. If they come up with profiling in the future, well, I'm all for it.
As for the guy trying to get through with gasoline, we can't allow that b/c it's too highly flammable. But I guess you, all experienced pilots, know that. We have to look out for substances that can damage the plane. Terrorism isn't the only concern in our job.
And yes, I think it is ridiculous to take something as small as nailclippers from a passenger. We don't. And I do think it is ridiculous that pilots and FAs have to be searched. Especially if you take a knife from one, and then they go into the cockpit where there's an axe for emergency use. Plus, pilots can take the plane up, and they can take the plane down. I agree, it is illogical. We don't search crews anymore.