Moderately frequent traveller to IAD ... usually completely painless, inbound and outbound, although Immigration tends to be a bit of a queue/line if you're not one of the first off a large aircraft.
As has been said, readable passport, fill out the I-94
carefully to agree with what your passport says.
Have a good read of this ...
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm
Don't even think of carrying anything strange ... forget cigarette lighters, take off as much metallic stuff as you can [big watches, jewellery, belt buckles, keys. coins etc.]. If you don't have to have it on your person or in your carry-on, then don't!
And as Herman said, don't try and be smart with them ... THEY will always win.
