Bruce Schneier has a great op-ed on the TSA's security checkpoint ID validation system. He goes a bit far into the rhetoric, which makes it a blast to read. However, he does make a great point when he points out that:

In the end, the photo ID requirement is based on the myth that we can somehow correlate identity with intent. We can't. And instead of wasting money trying, we would be far safer as a nation if we invested in intelligence, investigation and emergency response -- security measures that aren't based on a guess about a terrorist target or tactic.

That's the TSA: Not doing the right things. Not even doing right the things it does.

Looking at the processes in place, I'd rather see some kind of self-selecting triage for passing the checkpoints (queuing theory 101). Basically, have a fast lane and slow lane, with the first TSA rep (instead of checking IDs) briefly advising if you appear to be conformance for fast lane ("travelling light? ok, if you fail to pass the fast lane tests ahead, you'll get sent back to the end of the slow lane"), if not, then you get shunted to the slow lane.

Total queue time remains the same in the short-run, however humans tend to learn to avoid pain (delays). With a tangible benefit to meet guidelines, people should increasingly conform to them. That will also presumably help the TSA ( assuming that less to check makes life easier for them and increases security ).