yep, 'security theatre', that about describes things for the most part.
When I visited the US a couple years ago I was electronically finger
printed. There was no question of asking if this was okay by me. Just
a matter of please put your index fingers on the pads please!
There seems to be no standard way of doing things internationally. If
all airport authorities adopted the same high tech standards I imagine
it would speed things up a lot.
One thing that I often wonder about is the lack of security on what
people bring into airports. It is quite possible bring in a case with
just about anything in it. Surely the proper place for luggage scanning
is at the entry doors to the airport. Getting a bomb on-board a jet
is capable of killing 2-300 people. Getting a bomb into a busy airport
check-in area could be capable of killing many more people!
Recently while at Malaga Airport in the SNN check-in line a noticed a
guy leaving a large case beside some seats while me took a walk! I was
a little nervous as he as walking away and called to him. I simply asked
if he wouldn't mind taking his case with him. He laughed at me and advised
that he was going to the toilet. He was and returned after 5 minutes!
I was looking at the nearest column and wondering if I should ease my may
towards it and stand on the other side, I didn't π