Are you saying that nothing has changed and such methods as described here are insufficient?
Yes. Demanding ID - not checking it, not evaluating the person, not having probable cause, but only requiring an ID - does absolutely nothing for security in this situation. It's a total waste of effort and trampling of rights to no good end.
Fair enough, now I understand where you were coming from. That was all I was seeking to have confirmed.
I disagree that they are not serving a purpose, but that purpose may not be clear to the person whose ID is being checked. Police, security, Secret service, customs agents are all trained to observe w/o being to overt about it.
They maybe asking for a gray haired ladies ID, but they are looking at the young man behind her, the one with a back pack, the one who is looking out of the window, the one who just pulled his cap a bit lower, the one who is starting to perspire the longer the cop stands there. The one who may require a closer look.
People have mentioned profiling, of course they do it, they can't just walk on a bus and shout:
"OK, all men ages 20-25 with dark hair and brown eyes, I want to see your ID."
They do need to show some discretion.