"Some protesters, who seem to be grossly overestimating the patience of their fellow passengers".

As someone who's had long distance relationships and hence realizes that sometimes airport disturbances can be more than mere annoyances, I have only slightly more patience for this kind of stupid time-wasting and unproductive action, than I have for asshole air traffic controllers who throw hissy fits and go on unannounced strikes (though I'd like to think that at least doesn't happen in the US).

That said, somebody in the same NYT article made a great point that really bears repeating: "“We can’t protect ourselves from every conceivable threat, and we need to acknowledge that,” Mr. Smith said. “There’s always going to be a way for a resourceful enough perpetrator to skirt whatever measures we put in place.” "

So, you know, if some people in the Department of Homeland Security want to cover their asses, save their jobs and all that, it would be lovely if they found a way to do that that didn't waste everybody's time so much.