Strong door to flight deck, and policy change to keep door closed and locked, eliminated hijacking risk. Everything else is an expensive show which air travellers apparently enjoy. They keep paying for it.
They don't enjoy it. It's mandated, and the cost isn't itemised on the ticket fare.
If each and every traveller knew the cost of airport security measures put on them, more would complain, the most drastic airports may start to be avoided on principle. But we aren't in a capitalist regime where transparency and obligation to inform accurately is enforced. It's authoritarian capitalism. Pay up, or find yourself excluded from the show.
Good points on tax transparency. Add-ons are itemized on air tickets in USA, though things like airport remodeling costs are opaque.
Expensive 'raise arms under arrest' full body scanners aren't advertised as opt-in by TSA, but they are voluntary. I always go through standard metal detector only.
Maybe the masses don't care enough about cost/ benefit and allow career beauracrats to run wild designing 'security'.
Did you know the food store workers near the gates walk around TSA screening at most airports? Crazy.
