Overreaction?

When I heard about the recent aborted terrorist incident on a Detroit-bound aircraft my first thought was how did the guy get explosive materials onto the plane - especially since the flight originated in Amsterdam, where security is especially tight.

And my second thought was what kind of crazy new restrictions will this mean for passengers. First it was the ban on tiny Swiss Army knives, then on liquids except in 3.4 ounce containers in a single little plastic bag, then the shoe deal - how will they punish us passengers this time?

The answer was fast in coming: According to a statement posted Saturday morning on Air Canada’s Web site, the Transportation Security Administration will severely limit the behavior of both passengers and crew during flights in United States airspace — restricting movement in the final hour of flight. “Among other things,” the statement in Air Canada’s Web site read, “during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps.”

Now exactly what has changed since last week? Why is movement in the last hour of a flight, or having something on your lap (a book?) suddenly more dangerous now than it was last week? Once again the TSA has overreacted. One can only wonder what might happen after the next incident - no carryons at all? And after that, flying naked?