Until last month, I hadn't flown on an airliner for about 8 years.
Last month, however, my father was suddenly hospitalized and because
the weather was bad I decided to fly down via Delta instead of flying
my own plane as I usually do. In the line for the security screening
at the airport, the two gentlemen behind me were discussing what would
likely cause the walk-through metal detector to beep. One of them
said his belt buckle frequently sets it off. Well, my belt buckle has
a substantial amount of metal too. When I got to the screening area I
put my carry-on suitcase on the conveyor belt and put my pocket change
and keys into the plastic bucket. Remembering the belt buckle
conversation, I took my belt off and placed it into the bucket as
well. As I was placing it into the bucket the screening agent
(female) said, "Don't take off your belt." Well, the belt was
already off and in the bucket. Before I could do or say anything, she
called over the agent at the walk-through metal detector, gave him my
boarding pass, and mumbled something to him which I didn't quite make
out. As I passed through the metal detector, the agent already had
his arm up blocking my way and ushered me to the area for a wand
search. No, the walk-through metal detector didn't beep when I went
through. In your opinion, was this a "spite search" for daring to
disobey the first agent (the one who apparently ordered up the wand
search) or did my actions truly warrant a wand search?