[xanadohnt]

And yet this is still abysmal. Talk to me when my plane onboarding experience is exactly that of a train. A recent study showed something like 90% of threats are missed. So remove what we have installed now, switch to passive-only methods, and don't bother me. Let me walk straight in, check luggage if necessary, and go sit at my gate. And while we're at it let my friends and family join me. Well trained humans and dogs (and, sure, robots) can keep me safe in the background.

[erispoe]

Have you been to Geneva? Most of the time I go from the train station to the gate in 20 minutes, including security.

[xanadohnt]

My point was we shouldn't have to wait for security checks at all. There are many other high-human density targets for terrorism (buses, trains, buildings, etc.) none of which require security checks. Why are airports / flying any different? Fear mongering by capitalistic stake holders is my opinion. Granted, I'm a jaded American who has to experience the joke that is the TSA. And I haven't experienced Geneva yet (would love to), but 20m is much happier than your average US airport.

[CPLX]

> There are many other high-human density targets for terrorism (buses, trains, buildings, etc.) none of which require security checks. Why are airports / flying any different?

Because airplanes are giant 600mph flying bombs that can destroy large portions of major urban centers.

I am as dismayed by the disaster that is the TSA as you or anyone, but let's not totally lose sight of the plot here.

[xanadohnt]

There must be 1000s of places along train tracks in the US alone where a strategically-placed derailing device[1] could wreak the same, if not more, terror. I'm unconvinced planes pose a greater risk to life loss and that is the point IMO.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derail

[duderific]

I seriously doubt a derailing train could take down an entire skyscraper.

[kfunk]

I doubt an airplane ever has.

[wrs]

Ironically, the security line is a high human-density target.

[duderific]

It's (sort of) already happened - [1]

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Los_Angeles_International...

[beat]

Indeed. It would be easy to bomb a high-density waiting line at airport security. You could put quite a large bomb in a suitcase and just wheel it in!