If one quart in 2000 miles is normal
It's not normal. Normal is no significant drop in oil level between services.
That's a scary thought, since the average person is not going to be checking the oil on their own.
Really? The average person doesn't ever check their oil level on there own? That's news to me.
All my friends and relatives always check oil levels periodically when they acquire a car (new or used) to establish a base line. I thought this was common sense. Once I've established the engine is not consuming significant amounts I may not check it again except at each service to verify things haven't changed.