I disagree. When it was "reduced," it practically disappeared. IIRC, its re-appearance began around the time of the widely discussed "surges" last year (or early this year?). It has most certainly "restarted."

Several weeks ago in PHX I watched the TSA screeners set up the "harrassment tables" near the jetbridge door about 30 minutes prior to boarding. Three or four screeners then stood at them like statues until boarding was announced. This occurred at Gate 2, which wasn't 50 yards from the TSA checkpoint.

The good news is that many passengers wondered aloud why the TSA felt the need to re-screen them given that they had just passed thru the checkpoint minutes earlier. Some passengers had very un-charitable things to say about the constant "you're always a terrorist suspect" attitude. Some comments about the "wasteful government agency" and "they must be overstaffed" were heard. ^

Amazingly, the wheelchair passengers were boarded with no gate grope. Then First Class was called, again with no gate grope. Having boarded at the end of First Class, I can only assume that the coach passengers were the intended victims.

The AA gate agents made an announcement about the random gate screening and asked everyone for their "full cooperation" with this "important security function" and other apologist tripe. No doubt these guys go bowling with the screeners.