Actually, the UK and Canada have plenty of silly regulations too. (ISTR that CATSA still ban nail scissors, which even the TSA now permit.) Furthermore, when I've flown into the US before I haven't been searched on landing (though I suppose customs might feel like it, but they're looking for different stuff anyway, and you've usually been reunited with checked baggage by then anyway) and the screening at LHR was exactly the same as if I'd been flying to the US.

eeph