What is the point of airport security? It’s most important job, it seems to me, is not to deter or even prevent terrorism but to remind the public that there is a terrorist threat. If this was true before the Knicker-Bomber it’s even more clearly the case now.
That’s not just because Mr Abdulmutallab was able to board his flight to Detroit but because it’s apparent, if this was ever in doubt, that just three things have improved airline security since 9/11: reinforced cockpit doors, the increased vigilance of other passengers and the incompetence shown by at least some of the would-be bombers. The rest is just security theatre. (See Bruce Schneier for more on this.)
Tedious and dispiriting and muddle-headed as it is, however, this security theatre does serve a purpose. For without it how many people would remember that there really is a threat? Travelling by air – in Britain or the United States – is one of the few occasions in which an average member of the general public will be confronted by some of the realities of the post-9/11 western world.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in