Schneier states the case that the solution to this risk has already been completed:
For years I've said that exactly two things have made us safer since 9/11: reinforcing the cockpit door and convincing passengers that they need to fight back.
How does one fight back against an underwear bomber? Do the passengers instinctively smell the pube-laced explosives, jump on the terrorist and disarm him?
Remember two things:
a) the underwear bomber got through the TSA checks
b) you just can't pack enough explosives in your underwear to really do any serious damage.
Both the shoe and the underwear bomber were apprehended on the plane. That alone shows why the TSA is useless.
You hold him down, choke him; and find the burning shoe or underwear. There's usually water in the form if bottles to throw on someone.
In the end, you fight back and don't deal with idiocism.
It reminds me when I was working at Starbucks. We had a long-ish line. A guy who we knew would cause problems shows up, and a Japanese barista tried to take his order. He then starts yelling at her, for repeating it wrong (it was right, but he couldn't understand the accent).
Then a guy 2 people behind says out loud, "either order or get the hell out!" A lady behind him then said "Be nice to her, or leave"
Once one person had the courage to say something, more did. And the customer eventually left without ordering anything. We baristas did nothing but stand there, trying to get the order.
For years I've said that exactly two things have made us safer since 9/11: reinforcing the cockpit door and convincing passengers that they need to fight back.
http://www.schneier.com/essay-303.html
Neither of those solutions required increased security measures.