I usually have a small bottle of lotion in my laptop bag, which normally goes into checked luggage or my Kip-loc bag when traveling.

This summer, while at a client site, I stuck the bottle in my pocket after using it. When going through security, I was somehow selected for a pat-down (no SSSS, so who knows why). Interestingly, the TSA guy passed over the bottle in my pocket but did not follow up. I wonder if he thought that it was just a really odd shaped wallet or if he didn't care.

Bottom line is, I think th at most all experienced travelers have similar experiences. Unfortunately, "our" perception of this security theater apparently isn't shared by others.