So far the new cards (with photo) have been much better than the old ones - perhaps it's the machines.

I've used LAX (UA terminal); JFK ; EWR and YYZ and YVR over the past six months. All fine every time.

I'm arriving from Australia in SFO and would only pack hand baggage if it hadn't been working. Now I know it is I can check that bag and not be behind 4,000 (!) people on lines with two inspectors.

I'm non-US BTW.