So, did this guy just kill his career?

[iflyforfun]

Also, on one has answered my question. Why is the government putting all of these policies and procedures in place? What are they trying to accomplish? Is it their ultimate goal to make air travel as difficult as possible for both passengers and pilots? If so, why?

IMHO, you make a pretty big leap when assume the "government" is putting these policies in place. The "government" consists of countless faceless bureaucrats who, because of the system we have in place, are motivated to build kingdoms and say "no". The more rules the better. Any deviation / allowance to the rules puts and unknown risk on their shoulder with no counter-balancing upside. Why should they show common sense when it won't be rewarded, but there is certainty in punishment should their decision result in a "loss" of some sort.

So, to answer your question, the "government" isn't putting these policies and procedures in place. Bureaucrats are putting these policies and procedures in place. They do this in order to build the size of their department and secure their jobs. Their ultimate goal is to secure their jobs and retire while looking like they are doing something ... hence the security theater.

 

[alaskaflyer]

IMHO, you make a pretty big leap when assume the "government" is putting these policies in place. The "government" consists of countless faceless bureaucrats who, because of the system we have in place, are motivated to build kingdoms and say "no". The more rules the better. Any deviation / allowance to the rules puts and unknown risk on their shoulder with no counter-balancing upside. Why should they show common sense when it won't be rewarded, but there is certainty in punishment should their decision result in a "loss" of some sort.

So, to answer your question, the "government" isn't putting these policies and procedures in place. Bureaucrats are putting these policies and procedures in place. They do this in order to build the size of their department and secure their jobs. Their ultimate goal is to secure their jobs and retire while looking like they are doing something ... hence the security theater.

Bureaucrats don't tinkle without considering what Congress and their Department Secretary will think about it. Regulations cannot be promulgated without enabling public law. So, yes, it is all "government."