Security checks aren't more lax because of the time, though. If you are going to insist on bringing luggage with you instead of checking it at the counter, then you can't complain if they inspect it.
Don't wear a belt. Don't bring a ring of keys. Wear shoes that can be slipped on and off instead of untied/tied. If you know what's an inconvenience, why would anyone continue to inconvenience themselves and thus others when it's for certain nothing is going to change?
We do have something quite similar to car-checks, but we call it the "Garden State Parkway"
Some of us have to be inconvenienced because we don't have EZPass.