I've flown in Canada, US, Far East, Middle East, Europe.
In every contry I've flown out of, the restricitions are akin to what the FAA is prompting. In Israel it is even worse (or better - depending on your POV). Most of my experience is England, France, Switzerland, and Tel Aviv.
Never any curb side checks. No rent-a-cops, its all federal or military. Checking luggage the night before is common. El AL runs all luggage through a Bomb proof preasure chamber - reduce presure and temperature for triggers. Explosive, Power, and Vaseline sniffer tests. No knives or pointy metal things of any kind is common. Three - four hours at the airport before flight (only two hours before if you pre checked you luggage). If your luggage gets on a different plane than you (usually a baggage handling mistake) EVERYONE gets off of BOTH plans and claims and rechecks the baggage. (been there done that!) Nobody other than passengers past the security check. Random full checks. If you transfer in Zurich to Tel Aviv, all the luggage is removed, all claimed, all opened and searched by hand, while under the watchful eyes of Federal Police all armed with SMGs. Metal detectors and SMGs at the boarding gate as well. Hnad luggage always check if the sniffer or the X-ray things see anything other that undies. Always SMG armed cops (in Heathrow they were army) and always armoured vehicles somewhere on the tarmac.
But somehow, it is always done very politely and firmly.
At least the food and beer is usually better on European carriers than US carriers.
