But, as I've said before, the traveling public has changed since Sept. 11, 2001, at least the Americans. If the unarmed terrorist isn't taken down by the sky marshal, the other passengers will do it as they have taken down others who have caused disruptions recently. I think you'd have one hellacious brawl on your hands, one that four, five or six terrorists wouldn't win.

By the way, as part of the "new security regulations" the cabin attendants have to point out that the "flight deck" is at the front of the aircraft. I have no idea why this is necessary -- I was never unaware of its location before and assumed that it hadn't changed -- but I'm certainly glad that it's still up there where it always was. Unless, perhaps, members of the crew are wandering around the plane, looking for it?