I think a more accurate description of the issue as it is approached in various terminals and occasionally in the media:

We're pretty firm in that racial profiling is wrong (and stupid).

But we certainly 'profile' for various reasons (Paying in cash, travelling one-way, acting peculiarly, appearing nervous, etc.)

But how about the use of visual cues during profiling? If you know that a caucasion suspect is on the run, you don't tend to stop non-caucasions.

Again, the authorities are working off of rules which are accessible to the terrorists, so that is a factor all its own.

So, if a lot of Arab/ Muslim people are stopped during the current unpleasantness, but not exclusively Arab/ Muslim people, is that not understandable.

And knowing that 'random checks' are thrown into the mix might cause a whole lot of people to re-think their plans as well.