You hit it exactly, with this statement. I wonder - this is just speculation - if the TSA is the lightning rod, and the real enforcement goes on behind the scenes. For instance, I was in Heathrow (OK, not the US, but still germaine to the topic) and I watched Brit security pick out three middle eastern-looking gentlemen, and quietly escort them out a nearby side door.
Had I not been standing right next to them, and watching and listening, there's no way I'd have known anything happened. So, I think that all of the obtrusive security is little more than a smokescreen for the real work.
I've never had a problem with TSA; the few times that I've flown in the past 10 or so years they've been professional. However, I specifically avoid flying as much as possible because of them, and further incursions (Highway stops? I've heard about these on FR!) are a horrific abuse of power.
Yes. . .I fly to London at least once a month. They di ti right-—they profile.
Most of the time the muslimes quietly submit. . .whereas in the US, they know profiling is illegal and they holler and scream discrimination until they get a big fact paycheck from the USG or airlines and people give them special treatment, you know, avoid making any effort to look at them.
Scary about the highway checks.