Isn't the problem that you don't know what you have once you lose physical possession at the airport? Jacob Appelbaum once only carried a USB stick with the US Bill of Rights on it through customs and he probably has it right. Before firmare became so malicious, I would trust a laptop bought at random more than I'd trust one after US customs abuse. Because I don't know how to install Libreboot yet, I would not risk a good install travelling. Even if I were good at installing Libreboot, I'd still ditch a laptop if it were abused at the airport.
I've had laptops taken for out of my sight "inspection" so it's either common or targeting extends to absurd depths, but probably both. Thanks to Snowden, we know that IT people were routinely targeted and that reading Linux Journal would get you put on a list. The worse things get, the more our motivation to protect our privacy should grow.
