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Comment by erispoe | Hacker News Reader

Have you been to Geneva? Most of the time I go from the train station to the gate in 20 minutes, including security.

My point was we shouldn't have to wait for security checks at all. There are many other high-human density targets for terrorism (buses, trains, buildings, etc.) none of which require security checks. Why are airports / flying any different? Fear mongering by capitalistic stake holders is my opinion. Granted, I'm a jaded American who has to experience the joke that is the TSA. And I haven't experienced Geneva yet (would love to), but 20m is much happier than your average US airport.

Ironically, the security line is a high human-density target.

Indeed. It would be easy to bomb a high-density waiting line at airport security. You could put quite a large bomb in a suitcase and just wheel it in!

It's (sort of) already happened - [1]

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Los_Angeles_International...

> There are many other high-human density targets for terrorism (buses, trains, buildings, etc.) none of which require security checks. Why are airports / flying any different?

Because airplanes are giant 600mph flying bombs that can destroy large portions of major urban centers.

I am as dismayed by the disaster that is the TSA as you or anyone, but let's not totally lose sight of the plot here.

There must be 1000s of places along train tracks in the US alone where a strategically-placed derailing device[1] could wreak the same, if not more, terror. I'm unconvinced planes pose a greater risk to life loss and that is the point IMO.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derail

I seriously doubt a derailing train could take down an entire skyscraper.

I doubt an airplane ever has.

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