Silberfuchs
You hit the nail on the head. I travel a few times a year outside the U.S. and do all possible to not connect within the U.S.
I still have not forgotten TSA and their complete idiotic power trip over my transportation of brand new unfueled Zippos in my luggage...Another Story.
I just returned from Africa via London and had no problem until transfering in Los Angeles for las Vegas. TSA went through my bags spilling things all over the place just to see if a six bottle box of wine were not 40mm Anti Aircraft rounds. Opened up right around the corner and I was able to peek and see my things going all over the floor because the guy did not know that folks put items in both halves of a suitcase.........
But back to the Topic. If it was anyone other than a "notable personality" I can almost guarantee someone would have been escorted in for a lengthy interview.
You want to start a new thread on how TSA can screw a Pilot........Information is out there and it scares me to think that this can happen in the U.S.