Interesting about the downplaying of the ID authentication. I suddenly realized what would make me happier with this whole security setup; one of these two things:

1. I would consent to their searches if I did not have to identify myself (and they made no attempt to identify me). This seems practical, as Schneier suggests, because your identity doesn't really matter as long as you've been screened.

2. They adopt rigorous authentication procedures and authorize me to pass without undressing, scanning, swiping, etc. My hunch is that this wouldn't be too effective a preventive tactic, but what do I know...

I'm much more into (1), personally, but I'll take anything that makes travel less cumbersome.