People are kvetching about airport security

I have no idea if the following is true:

Airport security is already more show than substance. It's an exercise of political theater that is supposed to make travelers feel more secure. I am unconvinced it even does that very well anymore, and from what I've heard thus far, the new measures are only going to make things worse.

Enhanced Security or Just Increased Annoyance?

In the big picture, what puzzles me is our failure to take a holistic view of transportation security.

For example, if airport security measures are either inadequate or too intrusive, then let's have fewer flights. Surely there would be less pressure on airports, airlines etc etc in terms of security if we had really great <em>railroad train service for</em> cities under, say, 500 miles apart, which covers a great many cities in the USA. 

Of course that is probably too much "social engineering" for some people. I am glad that the Congress which authorized the deals (corrupt as they were) to build the first transcontinental railroad didn't have to contend with what passes for our current conservatives.