@Reborn_Cat_Mom_V2

Nothing wrong with a strategic retreat.

It took me about 20 years before I stopped checking in a carry-on bag, just to avoid having the risk of TSA inspecting it. It was seeing your example from a couple of years ago that got me brave enough to carry on my things and small tube of lube. (I summarized my security line experiences in #TransOnPlanes in case a pattern emerged that might be useful). My intra-usian travel dried up due to reasons but I think that I would return to checking everything in.

#TransOnPlanes
Security line edition!

In this episode: the results when my dilator is wrapped in a pouch with 142 g (5 oz) of lube. The pouch is packed in a roll-aboard carry-on, placed on top for easy finding when opening the carry-on.

DEN
Carry-on shunted aside for secondary inspection. TSA opens it up, finds something other than the pouch. Asks about something else.

YYZ
Carry-on shunted aside. Agent finds the dilator pouch right away. Opens the pouch and pulls the dilator out a little bit, asks what that is for. "I have a stenosis and have to put that inside if me". She hurriedly but poorly returns the dilator back into the pouch and gives the carry-on back.

PHX 1
Carry-on makes it through the xray, no problem.

PDX
Carry-on shunted aside. Agent opens the carry-on, opens the pouch, sees the dilator, puts it back.

PHX 2
Carry-on shunted aside. Agent opens the carry-on, opens the pouch, takes the dilator out, making no effort to be discreet, kind of holding it up in the air while inspecting it. (I had this happen once, 15 years ago, so I am prepared for it. Plus at my age, I stopped caring). Agent asks, with an ever-so-slight edge, what that is for. I tell him that "I have a stenosis and have to put that inside if me". He accepts that and puts it back in the pouch.