I'm with others who are dubious about the new NYC policy of random searches of bags on subways in response to another London bomb attack. Personally, my first reaction was unease: I often carry a shoulder bag on the subways. My second reaction was that it does not seem particularly useful. It is more likely to bring about some drug busts. And, will it really be random? Come on now.
Random searches, especially given NY State has tougher rules than the nation as a whole, is often a bad idea. It works in limited situations, including at airports or at special areas with small amounts of people or at particular points of time (such as when the President is in town). Nonetheless, on a broad basis as well as on a subway system with millions of riders, it seems untenable. It is not as silly, though comparable, to the temporary ban on taking pictures, but it is dubious all the same.
The proposed regulations against things like walking between cars and drinking nonalcoholic drinks on the subway are questionable enough. This will likely only bring unease or shallow security. It isn't the way to go.