I'd say you are a bit tough to US security. They went a long way to become as friendly as possible. I still get fingerprinted etc. but they definitely have learned to do it in the least intimidating way possible. Same with luggage. They open plenty, but the suspicious items do not disappear anymore.

Re: lack of proper docs and emergency landing: I experienced the Thai way during the UA "bird hit plane" Bangkok case. My one entry visa was naturally expired, but the Thai authorities let me in with no fuss. The people with no passports I believe were put in a lounge and then directly brought to the hotel by bus (no emabssy mess, but the passports were not permanently lost). I guess the airline and the Thai authorities sorted something out.

Well, if passports burn, it's embassy job, naturally. Then one can only hope there's embassy in the crash country. Depending on the time available and the country's regulations, one can be issued either with temp. passport, or with "passavant" (pass avant passport?) to reach a final destination.

Money can be big issue as well.