Yesterday, I flew from AMS to IAD, and the number of times I had to wait in line and show my ID was incredible, even funny. Here goes:

1. Enter airport and wait to have luggage x-rayed (all bags)..
2. Interview with a security person, checks itinerary and passport.
3. Check luggage with United and get boarding pass. Passport checked.
4. Clear immigration. Passport checked.
5. Cary-on bags x-rayed again and metal detector.
6. Enter concorse area. Bags x-rayed and metal detector. (never left a secure area since step 5)
7. Enter gate area. Bags x-rayed and metal detector; passport checked. (once again, never left a secure area)
8. Boarding Pass checked to board plane. Random searches.

Then fly to IAD.

9. Retrieve checked luggage. Clear immigration and customs. Passport checked.
10. Re-check luggage. Cary-ons x-rayed. Metal detector.
11. ID and boarding pass check to board connecting flight.

Now that is a system trying hard to look like security.