No problems in Florida. The shortage really just seems to be in the greater Atlanta area. Hopefully you'll have enough gas to make it to Macon and after that there shouldn't be any issues at all.
Unless you use your phone or try to get info from other guests, no. It's possible that you could get some info from a CM that may have seen an update on tv in the breakroom, but they certainly won't be volunteering that information.
It may not be Disney as far as attractions are concerned, but it's better than Disney's parks in pretty much every other area so I'd hardly consider it "a cleaner Six Flags."
As already stated, the procedure if your biometric scan doesn't work is for the Park Greeter to ask for photo ID to verify that the ticket is actually your's. That's not always what happens though.
I know a few CMs that have visited recently and they said it was they do count now. It's a shame, but it's surprising that Disney let it go as long as they did.
Child Swap procedures differ depending on the attraction. Most usually have an area close to the load/unload area and don't make you wait outside the attraction.