Despite all the very latest screening and security measures being introduced at airports, the ages old method of "pat down search" still goes around, and is much trusted, but its scope is highly limited due to various reasons.

Experts are of the opinion that pat-down is, more often than not, ineffective, mostly because there are very strict Government rules specifying where screeners can put their hands as well as the frequency of frisking passengers.

"To have people hold up their arms and just pat them - like I'm really going to carry a bomb there. You know where you're going to put it, and no one's going to go there", said industry analyst Michael Boyd, while stressing that pat-downs are often of little value.

Most passengers at American airports do not get pat-downs through security checks, and amidst metal detectors and screening devices, screeners only end up lightly tapping a traveler's arms, legs and clothes.

As a result of all the limitations, the ages old methods' reach and scope has been curbed to much extent, but it continues to stay on at all airports, thereby indicating its importance.