I think it was a rather poorly written (or poorly edited) article. Those two quotes from Slepian and Caldwell were pretty over the top, but I think it would have helped to know the context of those single sentences the reporter quoted. I've read some of Slepian's stuff on his Foreseeable Risk Analysis Center (FRAC) website and he seems a level headed security professional. Caldwell...well, she has a constituency to represent, but the "blood in the aisles" quote was pretty wild. Again, I'd like to know in what context were these people making these statements?

Actually, two points that both these people have raised in the past are certainly valid. Slepian long warned about the vulnerability of airplanes through the "ramp" side of the airport. I see airport ground staff go through security every once in a while, but do ALL of them go through security currently? I hope so, but I doubt it. Maybe I only see them go through security when they get lunch at McDonald's in the passenger terminal?

A point that Caldwell brought up in the past was the danger of commercial cargo. Billions of pounds of commerical cargo are loaded alongside passenger luggage with no screening at all. That was a couple years ago when she said it, but don't know if that situation has changed any at all.

But still, statistically, air travel is still the safest way to go. Can't say the same for my checked luggage, but that's another day's discussion. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />