It's been a sort of inside joke as of late that I NEVER get secondary TSA screening. Well I had an extra 3 hours when I was going home from ORD, and decided to see just how far I could take it. Yes, I understand I was holding the line up, I'm a jerk for that, etc... but there was very little line (I was taking off at a low traffic time) and a totally open line next to this particular line. Had more then say 1 person lined up behind me I would've stopped but here's how it went. I kept my laptop in its bag, a big bottle of shampoo in my carry-on, my wallet, keys, and belt on my person (I occasionally forget my belt, it always sets the scanner off). First, an official noticed that my laptop bag was unopened and there was no laptop in a tray. He questioned and I played stupid (this is a recurring theme) and took my laptop out. Score 1 for TSA. I still had tons of metal in my pockets. the detector went off, I took my belt off and put it on the belt. the buzzer went off a second time, again took my wallet out and put it on the belt. I'm sure at this point secondary is inevitable, and again (car keys still on me) I go through, this is 3 times, and the detector dings. I take my car keys out and play stupid "Shoot, I'm just a mess today, sorry about that!" and finally I'm through with no ding.

Instead of getting secondary screening, to my amazement I walk out and pick up my bag, laptop, belt, wallet, and car keys and head to my gate. I was amazed, what makes me so untouchable? In years of traveling I've been put through secondary twice, and both times they were doing it to almost everyone.

Any thoughts as to why I've never been pulled in the past 5 years? I've been on about 100 segments in those 5 years. Just luck or is there some other factor at play? Maybe the government is watching me !