From her perspective, it worked because:
1.) No embarrassing loss of life.
2.) No air marshals needed to prevent this guy from setting the bomb off (as a passenger effectively restrained him), therefore, the air marshal
budget reductions can continue.
3.) It provided another taste of fear to the public thus providing the justification for the continuance of her department.
4.) It immediately instituted more control over the public.
5.) It provided an opportunity to tout her department to the public.
All without DHS ever having to actually do anything to participate.
[edit on 28/12/2009 by Iamonlyhuman]