[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

The reasons you cited is why I recommend Amtrak over flying. It's more expensive, if you reserve sleeping accomodations, but by US standards of travel quality, it's more civilized.

If domestic air travel is unavoidable, I suggest using secondary airports. The fares are usually higher than large city airports, but there is less chaos, and TSA Officers tend to be more civilized. As far as I know, Milwaukee ("MKE") holds the "honor" of having the most obnoxious, power-drunk TSA Officers. Accordingly, travel through this airport should be of a connecting or arriving nature.

For international travel, I advise driving, or taking Amtrak, to Canada, then flying to, and from, your international destination through Canada. If you overnight, in Canada, following your return, you can deal with US Customs and Immigration at the border, and be in a rested condition should you encounter an attitude.

One other plus about using Canada as a jump-off point for international travel: Travel to, from, and within, Canada, (including travel to, from the US) by air, comes under the jurisdiction of Transport Canada. This agency offers far greater consumer protections than is the case with the US D.O.T.