Here's what I don't understand: you can only take 3 oz of liquid or "gel" onto an airplane, but you can take unlimited amounts of powders and solids.

Assuming, for the moment, that every piece of carry-on luggage is screened for explosives (doesn't seem to be true, but let's go with it), what's stopping the enterprising terrorist from smuggling aboard a dangerous powder that isn't an explosive?

I'm not even an expert in the area, and I can think of a few.

Those with the wherewithal to wage battle against this idiocy would simply rather fly privately.

http://netjets.com/

Now that planes are the new buses, can't say that I blame them.

I wish I had 130K to spend on 25 hours of flight time.

Then stop reading this and get back to work.

(Do what I say, not what I do.)

This is Patrick Smith of Salon.com's Ask the Pilot series.

http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2007/12/21/askthepilot25...

Great writing and also a great inside look at the industry.