No, they weren't relying on statistics. In the old days, a simple note or declarative statement to the effect that the terrorist had a bomb and would set it of

No, they weren't relying on statistics. In the old days, a simple note or declarative statement to the effect that the terrorist had a bomb and would set it off would have been enough to get the pilots to open a locked and secured door. We required the certitude that opening the door was worse than leaving the door locked and risking the chance that the terrorist may be telling the truth.