This. Dubai had some major security theatre.
Get off one plane, go through security to the transit terminal.
Wander around, refill water bottles.
Buy some duty free, get it put in a cardboard box with a ziptie.
Go to gate, go through ticket check, some corridors to gate lounge.
Get cardboard box confiscated and put in a pile of similar looking cardboard boxes.
Asked to empty water bottle... where? You can't turn around. Chug a litre of water.
Have bags 'checked', go into lounge, refill water bottle again.
Pee three times.
Still better than flying through any US airport tho.