I was not in uniform at that point (I was wearing a sweater over my uniform shirt) and I was not wearing any identifiable company markings. I presented my ICAO crew ID card and proceeded to the screening area.
So they knew who this person was. Uniform or not, that ID card is enough.
My immediate impression of the screening area dynamic was that the male screener was overly concerned with presenting an air of authority, and of his image to his female co-workers.
And who do better use than a big shot pilot? This is an all too typical response by minor officials with very limited power overall but one area of responsibility that they can use to do a bit of d**k swinging.
Limited power because the job description gives them very little leeway for judgment calls or the use of common sense. The rules say put liquids in a clear bag and scan them separately. If this guy had picked someone's grandma for not adhering to the rules to be made an example of, his co-workers would figure him as an impotent little bully.