I passed thru security at PHX last week prior to a flight to London. I had on a fabric belt with a metal buckle that can quickly be removed for passing through security. I had finished loading my stuff onto the conveyor when one of the TSA staff shouted at me to ask whether I was wearing a belt. I explained that the buckle was in the bin already.

Of course, that was a little too logical so when I went into the scanner I got shouted at by another TSAer to take off my belt because this "isn't using x-rays". Now, I know all about refusal and going for pat downs instead but I was really just up for a quiet life on this occasion.

Does anyone reckon this was anything more than an egregious example of security theatre or is a 1.5" wide strip of fabric a threat to humanity?