TV thread seems somewhat inconclusive, or beyond the scope of an honest 2-week holiday air traveler

Well, to be fair, you did say...

Answers I'm not looking for include "Don't worry about it" and "Well I've never been asked to show proof of funds".

so if you are "an honest 2-week holiday air traveler", then my advice would be to not worry about it, as you will NOT be asked to display the requisite funds.

If you want to plan for every contingency, have the cash on hand, although you will not be asked for it.

Seems simple enough?