Money is not really the issue of this rule change..or wether people are good enough pilots...the scary part is that now a TSA official can come up to you and say give me your license..you ask why and he just sais national security. I really do not see how this rule would prevent anyone from committing crimes like 9/11 and unfortunatly will make it less desireble for students to come to the US and train.
For those who are interested here is the rule as published:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...03/03-1681.htm