In the old days I would drive thru five different countries in one day, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, England and Wales and the only place I was ever asked for my passport was when entering my own damn country in Dover! ... I was never asked for ID to board the cross channel ferry so why should an aeroplane be any different?
I think the ID vs boarding pass name check was introduced by the LoCo's as an excuse for bumping you off or charging for a name change, basically your ticket, not that we have tickets any longer, is your life insurance and if it ain't your name on it then tough!