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Patrick, you're oh-so-right about most of this, but one critical point is wrong: the TSA isn't screening pilots, it's screening people dressed as pilots. They have to do this, otherwise every terrorist would know that all you have to do is dress as a pilot, and you get a free pass through security.
OK, with that out of the way... Most of what the TSA does at airports is 'security theater' (read Bruce Schneier's newsletters, books and blog for more on this); its purpose is to reassure the ignorant traveler (that stringent security measures are in place) and intimidate the stupid or disorganized terrorist or criminal. It offers no, zero, protection against the clever terrorists who we actually have to deal with (yes, they're clever, well-educated and brave...get over it).
At this point it is impossible to foresee a set of circumstances under which the current 'security precautions' will be reduced (because the TSA is a political body and CYA requires that they can never, ever expose themselves to any risk of blame, however remote). I don't care which party is in power (presidency or congress), there are no votes in being 'soft' on security. There's every reason to believe that the self-perpetuating nature of the security-industrial-congressional complex will create a ratchet of ever more stringent checks and prohibitions.
So what can we do about it? The only solution I can see is a massive program of civil disobedience and ridicule. We should all buy large, garish stickers saying 'Airport Security checks and article prohibitions are arbitrary and pointless' and put them on all our carry-on bags. If we all do it, they can't single us all out for special screening and other hassle and intimidation. We should all have a form of words to address the TSA people, something like: 'I understand that you are only doing your job; however, the security measures you're being asked to enforce are a pointless infringement of my rights as a citizen of a free country.' We should recite this every time we go through a security check, loud enough for our fellow travelers to hear.
The issue is that the bulk of the traveling public accepts the current screening uncritically and perhaps even believes it is necessary. Things will only change when those of us who believe the opposite stand up in public, at the checkpoint, and say so, in large enough numbers that it makes an impression on all other travelers.
Of course, this will never happen. The descent into Kafka-esque madness will continue apace.
