Literacy is the most dangeroud weapon there is. Thus the book ban.

Why do you ban books on the plane?

Well, because in the immediate timeframe of something like this you ban everything that is not essential. Yes, books may not be a high threat item (although, I could very easily hide stuff in the bindings of a hardback) but do you really have time to sit down and list all the different things that really are high threats and then train and ensure compliance with said policy?

Not a chance.

So you ban everything now, and work out the fine details later.

Maybe it's a trick to catch Islamic Terrorists.
Banned items are confiscated and thrown in trash bins,no?
The Koran is a book.
Koran goes in trash, zealot goes nuts and gets caught.

Cute, Bob. ;)

I'm not sure you really want to know, and I hate to give anyone ideas, but the pages of a book could be soaked in any number of chemicals and left to dry. They could be used as incendiary devices, smoke producers, feedstock for more complicated binary or trinary chemical concoctions(when rewetted). Pages can also be glued together, hiding double-edged razor blades or utility knife blades:ceramic knife blades if you are nervous about x-ray machines. The handle can be something else you bring aboard-like a cane handle. Hard book covers can be hollowed and used to conceal a number of things; piano wire for a garrotte, ricin powder, explosive sheets, gel explosives or incendiaries, etc.

Canes and crutches could be rifles or shotguns if one had access to a machine shop. Done well, few could detect them. They can also be dispersal devices for that ricin powder, combined with, say, an oxygen tank--if the airlines really let people bring their own aboard these days. Have the airlines sealed all those entry points to mechanicals hidden beneath the floor of the cabin? In these days of fly-by-wire, a determined terrorist could bring a plane down from there without even accessing the flight deck.

It goes without saying that knowledge works both ways. Passengers will attack terrorists now. Terrorists know this. I'm sure their tactics have now evolved to the point of killing all the passengers when they get the chance. You have to act immediately if you see something happening. Carry Bic pens with you at all times--the old style "stick pen" with the polycarbonate shaft and "dyomite"(tungsten carbide) ball tip. Learn where the carotid artery is, and practice on a heavy vinyl (naugohide) bag from a dollar store(fill it with sand). The key is not hesitating -when the time comes--and not stopping until the threat is neutralized. That means dead. Practice stomping your foot with all your weight on a padded surface, with an emphasis on your heel. That action will be applied to a neck lying face-up on a hard surface. The neck should be behind your heel. These are not the times for timid responses. Or delays. Assess the situation to make sure it is really happening(someone being killed is a good clue), then act. Be vigilent. Be ready to act. Act. If you don't want to place yourself in this situation, don't travel. But, if you do, you have to do whatever you can to keep the innocent alive. Fights for life are not part of everyday life anymore(thankfully). Start thinking about what you have to do and get training and practice-now.

I guess this means I have to go back to jujitsu class . . .? Or at least dust off my copy of The Anarchist's Cookbook.

What I really don't want to do--but should consider--is wearing high-heeled shoes. Awful to wear through an airport, but a fabulous weapon.

But ask your instructor to put together a short program of deadly maneuvers for use in a closed space. He(She)can set chairs up in a hallway to demonstrate.They usually don't teach the deadliest of moves because they don't want you using them in everyday circumstances. Here, you don't want to spend more than 15 seconds or so on any one individual.

Stiletto heels are great for teaching two-letter English words to students("No"). I'd prefer to see you flying in flat-soled boots, preferably with a steel tool and bottom plate. I know that makes it hard to remove them for inspection, but "speed laces" make it a little better. It affords additional protection in the case of a crash/fire/emergency exit. I'd like to see you in a heavy leather jacket, too, one designed to handle "road surfing" in motorcycle accidents. The pants that go with the jackets are good too, but heavy denim jeans will do as well. It wouldn't hurt if the jacket's sleeves were along enough for you to conceal your hands and fingers when disarming someone with a knife/razor. It makes a big difference in a fight. That's why gangs used jackets like this even if they didn't own motorcycles. Wear an oversized heavy t-shirt, one where you can pull it up over your mouth and nose for smoke/poison gases. Order that bottled water and have some available to wet your shirt.

Maybe it's time to just make everyone fly naked.

That would stop the female version of the jihad in their burkha'd tracks.

Now, about the male version: refuse them tickets on any airplane anywhere. You're an Arab? Take a boat or drive. Profiling? Tough.

I wonder how comfortable that idiot Mineta would be on a plane filled with nothing but Muslim men.