I managed to go through the "security theatre" twice this past weekend while traveling from Canada to the US (first flight canceled). I was actually impressed w

I managed to go through the "security theatre" twice this past weekend while traveling from Canada to the US (first flight canceled). I was actually impressed with the rigorous patdown, and the hand search of my carryon (and in one of them the security officer engaged me in conversation), which was made much easier by the severe restrictions on carryon luggage. It was, in fact, impressively layered - this entire process was at the gate, after the usual stuff at the security entrance. On the plane, they just discarded pretty well the entire protocol. Once you were on the plane, there were no real restrictions. And I had to put a bunch of expensive electronics and camera equipment in my checked luggage, which made it to my destination completely unscathed. Which makes the whole carryon process much more viable. If passengers were convinced that checked luggage is treated securely, quickly and with proper care, then we wouldn't have to bring the kitchen sink in our carryons.