Why go to all the trouble?

The idea of terrorists fixed in our minds by the media is that they are ruthless killers who desire to kill as many people as possible.

The recent 'terror plot' involving airlines appears an elaborate one, involving a great deal of planning and cunning. But why go to all these lengths to bring terror if that's their only aim.

I'm sure we all could think of ways to kill lots of people without going to trouble of getting past airport security, designing cunning explosives, and having to kill oneself in the process.

Because we saw, on 9/11, the potential for death and destruction using planes could bring. Simple car and rail bombings really do not have the same effect.