Best border I've been through recently would be Estonian - but living next door to Finland, they've no doubt seen it all...
Certainly, a pilot is able to do damage without bringing any devices with him.
However, if we waive all security for people holding a pilot's badge, we create an extreme incentive for identity theft.
I'm not suggesting we strip-search anybody.
What I am suggesting is that for security measures to be effective, they either have to be a) random, or b) universal.
I used to visit the US on a very regular basis, a few years ago I decided I'd had enough of the insults and the power trips these TSA types go through
I feel your pain--but are you sure you aren't projecting a bit in this case? As I said before, I don't see any evidence of "insults or power trips" in this case at all. In fact, I see a reasonable attempt at accommodation on the part of the TSA types.
If you do not consider it abusive that's fine with me but I can fully understand his position.
All he needs to do damage are his hands and his head, and he doesn't even have to take off for that, all he has to do is not brake on the pad in line for takeoff. Are you going to read his mind to make sure he has no bad plans?
What's next ? Are we going to strip-search busdrivers ? Captains of ocean liners ?
I used to visit the US on a very regular basis, a few years ago I decided I'd had enough of the insults and the power trips these TSA types go through, I'm very happy that someone with some visibility finally has enough of it and steps up.
What bugs me a lot more is all the people that stand by and let it happen. That's being complicit to some extent.
That war on terror was won long ago. But not by who you think.