The departure hall bombing at Brussels airport has triggered debate over whether to move the security cordon at Europe's airports to the terminal doors and beyond. Most travelers, I suspect, will have the same gut response: What, more lines?
That's also the reaction of some aviation security experts, who believe that in the 15 years since 9/11, we have lost the balance between security, cost and convenience — often, they suspect, to little effect.
"I would really hope we do not introduce additional screening points in response to this," said Philip Baum, editor of Aviation Security International Magazine and author of a book published this month, on the history of aviation hijacks and bombings. Not only are there more effective ways to provide security, says Baum, but "it's taking away the pleasure of flight and travel."