@timbray @evan Once, while I still lived in the US, I changed my mind as to which shoulder bag to take just as I was headed out to the airport.

While I was standing in line for Security Theatre before my flight, I reached into the bag and found a small one. I handed it to the first guard.

The scanner found two others that I also didn't know were in there. I gave them up without a fuss.

They took me aside and gave me the thorough once-over. The guards were surprised that I was amiable and not complaining about my treatment. I knew that they were doing their job as they were told.

As they checked everything, we got into a conversation about difficult customers we encountered. I showed them my latest book, about experiences in customer service. One wrote down the info and said he'd check it out on Amazon.

Some months later, without requesting it, I was sent the thing (a document? I don’t recall exactly) that gets you through airport security without a hassle. I have a feeling those guards tagged me as "not a problem."