[stomachmonkey]

I travel a lot.

You just need to follow the routine and you are fine.

I usually carry a lot of computer gear.

Everything goes in a bin, laptop by itself, 2 phones and 4 portable hard drives in a another, shoes, watch and change in a 3rd bin. If I'm wearing a hat take it off before I am asked to. When 1st presenting boarding pass and ID to security remove my sunglasses before so they don't have to ask. Be polite. Don't give them a reason to do an extra bag check especially when you can easily take steps to avoid it.

Most of the TSA that I encounter are very nice and polite. Some are jerks, a little power mad. So why poke em with a stick. You won't get anywhere but frustrated. Not worth the hassle.