I suppose all this sound and fury is to distract attention from the
woefully lax security around container ships.

That, and much more. I've heard the current state of affairs called
"security theater" - the pretense of adding security while, in fact,
accomplishing nothing.

If the current rules *must* be implemented. Certainly glider and balloon
training could be exempted. I mean, I can just see one of Osama's
colleagues showing up at my club..... not!

Tony V.