Despite the improvement by the TSA I believe that security in the USA is still less than in UK.
Nowhere is 100%, and it never will be no matter who carries guns or issues ID's, but it is getting very difficult to get clearance for a pass to go airside in UK.
The problem with 'similar' names to people on the no fly list is that if you are unlucky enough to have one of these names, there is no mechanism to have your name cleared after investigation, it just sits there on the list for all time causing you hassle every time you travel. Not a very sophisticated sytem at all.
I sincerely hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas.