David CL Francis wrote:

Intriguing, I had almost the opposite experience when visiting with
friends and going to see the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Security
there was airline check standard but taken even more seriously. Despite
my protestations that my belt had no metal in it, I was told in no
uncertain terms to remove it! My friend and host was more concerned than
I was as he had grave doubts that his pants (trousers for Britons like
me) would stay safely up without his belt!

I guess they had decided that you were going to be a problem!

And, of course, I wasn't a problem. I cheerfully went along with
everything. The wand search was quick and painless. Didn't even have
to take off my shoes, and, of course, my belt was already off. And
no, to answer another reply, it didn't bother me much then and doesn't
bother me now. I was just curious. Interesting, though, and quite
ironic as well, that some of the respondents here chimed in with
mean-spirited and hateful replies and then when on to suggest that
similar behavior couldn't be expected of a security agent. :-)