... airline security prior to the WTC/Pentagon attacks had nothing to do with the ability of the terrorists to bring minor weapons, like knives, onto the planes.

The real problem was the mindset of the airlines (all of them) regarding hijackings; that is, they all thought that the objective of a hijacking was to take a plane somewhere and land it (for whatever reasons the hijacker(s) might have). Airline personnel were trained not to resist, to cooperate and do everything they could to prevent injuries to the passengers (by not antagonizing the hijackers).

Once the people on the 4th plane were aware of what had happened with the others, they were able to thwart the purpose of the hijacking. Had all of the airline personnel and passengers on the first three planes been of the same mindset from the beginning that those on the 4th plane were when the passengers decided to resist, it is quite likely that none of the planes would have hit their intended targets.

On the other hand, it is also quite likely (in fact, I feel a certainty) that given the mindset prior to September 11th, a group of unarmed but physically strong terrorists could have accomplished the same objectives without bringing ANY weapons onto the airplanes.

The very first security measure that should be undertaken is the isolation of the cockpit from the passenger compartment in a way that cannot be breached by hijackers (i.e., a WALL between the two rather than a doorway). If hijackers cannot get at the cockpit, they can never use an aircraft the way these were used.

By the way, even with the increased security measures now being undertaken, I can think of at least three ways of getting knives (or knife-like implements) onto airplanes without being caught, two of which can be accomplished even with no carry on luggage at all.

On the other hand, the mindset which existed before these attacks is now gone -- and with it, any chance that a similar plan could ever succeed again.

----- jim o\-S