I have not had a problem. I insist that I be able to see my stuff and that it be brought with me and I have never been denied that. Some folks here have reported a problem, but I suspect that they are the unusual cases. Each time they have brought my stuff to the frisking area and put it in a chair or on a table where I could watch it. In the cases when my stuff needed secondary screening it was done either before the frisk or in the area where the frisk was being done.

This is absolutely the most important thing: Allow enough time. Tell them that you do not care if it takes a bit longer as you have plenty of time. The only power they have over you is if you are hurried and they can cause you to miss your flight.

Be firm and insist that you be able to see your belongings. If they deny that demand a supervisor and a LEO. The Supervisor is to complain to that they will not let you see your stuff. Ask the LEO to watch your stuff as you have heard about TSA thefts and you need someone you can trust to watch it.