I went to MO a few years back and missed my flight due to the above mentioned reasons.
When my bag was scanned, I was called to the sec. gate. I was throughly checked out and they gave a one heak of a time. They wanted to take my car, motors, radio gear, etc all apart. I was
. I had flown with that co. several times and never had an issue.
It is a good thing I have family in U.S. Customs who helped get the sutuation under control.
Now, I ship all of my suff FEDEX to my hotel or friends house (if poss.). Once I am done racing for the weekend, I will ship them back home.
I know it is a pain in the rear and costs $80 both ways, but it worth it not to got through the BS at the airport.
On the plus side......Atleast some the poeple at the airport are actually doing there jobs.