Originally Posted by
Trollkiller
What you are saying is what would be suspicious in one culture may not be suspicious in another.
In America carrying a large amount of cash is suspicious because most "normal" people, as you point out, use either check or plastic.
So if a large amount of cash is suspicious to the average person, why would it not be an indicator to a TSO that something illegal might be happening and a referral to a LEO is prudent.
Because that individual may be visiting the U.S.A. from somewhere else and may not be aware of the prejudice against cash in the U.S.A., or even if they are aware, they may not want to adopt the American way of paying, just as Americans overseas often insist on using their credit cards. Having such a preference should not result in their being subjected to heightened harassment at security checkpoints, any more than wearing a full beard or a turban should.