I went through a lengthy, extensive security background check by the FBI requested by Homeland Security- criminal record check, DL check, health check, school records etc, in order to fulfill the requirements of my Federally issued Coast Guard license. It has a separate Federal security credentials requirement which has been enhanced and tightened in the last 5 years. So I have a Homeland Security issued security ID (complete with a readable info chip) with my picture on it that is not available to the general public. Half the time TSA- which is a part of Homeland Security- refuses to recognize it's own ID as valid, and instead will accept a state issued ID- not a DL mind you- an ID.
Anytime you put minimum wage folks on the front lines of anything you're likely to end up with, well, folks who have failed at most other jobs and are left taking this one. I also believe TSA is a job works program/waste of money.