I'm amazed that the TSA has reintroduced this concept. Even Kip said something about "getting it right the first time." But I guess he had a change of heart. The random gate thing is particularly horrible: it delays flights, humiliates passengers, and underscores the ineffectiveness of the checkpoints.
With clogged checkpoints, unused archways and x-ray machines, and delayed passengers, wouldn't it make more sense to use the TSA staff to serve at the checkpoint?
I've been lucky so far. I have seen the random gate screeners at San Juan and Newark, but not for my flights. I've heard that International Flights at Detroit have been hard hit (even Air France.) That and Northwests' problems will ensure that I don't transit there any time soon.