Yes we would I am familiar with most of the braintrust that is the TSA at FLL T1. Your experience doesn't surprise me, but doesn't concern me either - ID has nothing to do with the actual practice of security. Can you describe your ID checker?

However..before we steer the thread to the TS/S forum, why were you so late to the airport? The FLL/EWR flights get updated departure times frequently, and it's always wise to be at the gate around the originally scheduled departure time because the ground stops for these flights are often adjusted or even released completely if Ops/ATC re-assigns the flight to the overwater route which bypasses DC airspace.

If the flight is delayed 2+ hrs, and the flight immediately prior is delayed, I'd even try to be at the airport very early to try and snag a seat on the delayed earlier flight.