Their job is to ensure the safety of airline passengers and staff. If they go too far, though, people get really uncomfortable.  And if the American People are uncomfortable, chances are good that something will change, even at the expense of safety. “Yes, there might be some bad stuff that happens on my flight, but at least I didn’t feel uncomfortable.”  Or, “There’s only a small chance that something will happen on our flight involving a terrorist and some flaming underwear, but I just cannot handle a 100% chance that someone might see my underwear.”

If the American people are made too uncomfortable, something will change.  That’s our history as a nation and as a people.  I’m not saying one way is right and the other is wrong, mostly because I am too busy having my dislike of air travel confirmed.  I’m interested to see what happens on Wednesday as the masses board planes.