[NJ_gent]

"I think that it is an unreal expectation to believe that we could ever find these perfect people that would be alert and follow procedure 100% of the time, though."

I agree that there always be the element of human mistakes, but certainly there must be ways we can reduce the impact of those mistakes. Another major problem I have is the fact that I've never once been asked to power on my laptop. Lord knows what I could assemble within the space of my laptop, and a bunch of printed circuit boards inside a laptop chasis looks perfectly normal through a machine. It wouldn't be bad if it were just some healthy paranoia, but when I board an airplane, I can't help but think that I can't rely on airport security in the slightest to ensure there's no one armed and dangerous on this aircraft.

[Elyse]

Another major problem I have is the fact that I've never once been asked to power on my laptop. Lord knows what I could assemble within the space of my laptop, and a bunch of printed circuit boards inside a laptop chasis looks perfectly normal through a machine

I've had that concern, too. Add in all the DVD players, MP-3 players and cell phones, to that, too. Hey, even children's toys make me nervous. This is why I say, it's impossible. I think the only feasible thing they could do to avoid the possiblity that one of these could be rigged is to totally BAN them from the flights. Yeah, that would go over like a lead balloon. Sooooo, do you want to come 2 hours earlier or so for your flight and stand in line while they test out every electronic gizmo in everyone's luggage and carry on bags?

I'm not trying to be a smart ass and I don't think you are being paranoid. I just really don't see how it can be feasible to protect ourselves as well as we want to be protected and I'm not going to throw sticks and stones at the airline industry. I think they are in an impossible position.