Reply #263: Cock pit doors were secured and reinforced in teh two years following 9/11...

[DWilliamsamh]

And yes that is a BIG step in prevention of hijacking...

But the new measures - including most importantly pat downs - are designed to stop folks intent on setting off explosives or incendiaries in the cabin. To be honest the "must be seated for an hour prior to landing," measure is a bit of a mystery to me. How is being seated a preventative? Seems "no blankets" for the last hour gets more to the problem by not allowing anyone to "hide" what they are doing as the aircraft approaches it's destination. I guess being in your seat prevents you from doing anything nefarious in the bathroom close to landing.

But my original intent in the thread was as a counter to those decrying any additional security measures as indicative of a creeping "police state" devoid of freedom. I just don't see it that way, and am tired of every proposed measure being met with the same charges in addition to "invasion of privacy." These measures seem reasonable to me - but I can hold my water for more than an hour. The rules need clarification, and modification, for those who can't. Flying should not become an exercise in bladder control either.