Flying will never be as easy . . . . .

I travelled through London to Boston and back from New York a few weeks ago. Security was heavy but not overbearing. You got the sense of vigilance but not panic and certainly nowhere near the level of concerns that have surfaced over the last week. This has made me wonder about the safety and security of travel. The pictures of people having to abandon their hand luggage to the hold, to empty pockets out and only carry on the very basic supplies is bizarre. liquids are suspect (how scary is that) and all things electronic are seen as being potential detonating devices (even electronic car keys!). Flying will never be as easy again. Will we once again be allowed our ipods on those cross-atlantic flights? In an age of technology for everything . . will technology prevail? Have we finally got the stage where the terrorist use of technology outstrips our ability to cope with and search for this? Ester Boserup argued that 'Necessity is the mother of invention' and i do agree (in an optimist kind of a way) - hopefully the necessity of our comforts in interntational travel can again be established and made safe - so that we can again enjoy our laptops/ipods etc as we travel. And not having that bag of goodies on board . . . it is so hard . . . I like my sweets, my book, my bottle of water - never mind the fact that parents have to suck down some of the milk for their baby . . I do wonder if flying will ever be as easy . . .