ASFKP,
perhaps this is the point. Just how many pax are of the really nervous variety that you describe? And how many are not?
I am inclined to think that pax aren't so dumb that they can't recognise a bloke's parents. However, I do suppose that they might get a bit upset if they aren't treated to the visit to the cockpit as well. After all, they know they're not terrorists. Might this be at the heart of the issue? Perhaps people just want to be treated like people again, instead of "security risks".
As a young hopeful lad, what do you remember most about the airline flights you were on? Was it perhaps the twinkle in the eye of the purser as he adjusted your seat belt for you? Maybe it was the really great airline food, or the really nice magazines?
Or just maybe, it was your visit to the cockpit. I would be surprised if this were not the case. Do you really think that the exclusion of non-aircrew from the flight deck will have any real effect on airline safety?
I personally think that the possibilities for terrorists are virtually endless if they want to terrorise us, especially if we are willing to accept that airline pax are nervous about anyone visiting the flight deck. Shouldn't we be showing them that we aren't over-reacting? Does anyone think that airlines adopting irrational policies is the way to reassure the travelling public? Don't you think they can see through the charade?
I'm sure there are some pax who are very nervous flyers, and many others who feel that they are being conned, abused, or insulted. Why do we choose to only hear the cries of one group?
I know that my view is not exactly orthodox, but I would hasten to add that the orthodox view is swiftly taking us along a path that leads to more terror, not less.
If you disagree, please explain to me how punishing the innocent can ultimately protect us from the guilty. Will it not just make the plight of the two so similar that the innocent will either become guilty, as may have happened on Qantas recently, or the innocent will become thoroughly disinterested in the whole flying thing, resulting in a flight from flying.
Unless you had to travel for some reason or other nowadays, would you choose to fly with all the associated security?
Are we are getting so focussed on dying that we are forgetting to live...?