The extra security screening at AMS is, in my experience, fairly unique to direct flights to the United States, as opposed to flights to other European cities like London (even when those cities are merely a connecting point for continuing travel to America).

I find it somewhat reassuring, rather than troubling. Unlike the shoe removal policy here in the U.S. which is really an exercise in futility, I like to think that the security inquiries and efforts at AMS serve a purpose in allowing the officials to better screen departing passengers in a logical and productive manner. In any event, as other posters have previously noted, you will only experience a de minimis level of inconvenience if you are polite and cooperative.