Celebrating my new status as a Global entry approved traveler

I am starting my first trip after getting approved for Global Entry which includes TSA pre-check.  We all agree that I am not a terrorist. I am so excited.

So, I get to Chicago on United, pick up my bags and go off  to American’s terminal to check in for the Rome flight.  Went through the TSA pre-check line and, oops, left a water bottle in my bag. Duh, like I do not know the rules?

Well, then the fun began.  They did the explosives test, and then took everything out of my bag, turned on the camera, phone, computer, everything.  Which were all soaking wet due to the bottle lid not being tight, I guess.  Comical.  Then on to me. Off with the belt, and shoes, and then the, as you might have heard, the “more intrusive” pat down that they are doing now.  First a 5 minute explanation of what he was going to do, and unfortunately, he was not cute.  And, judging by how much he seemed to delay doing the actual pat down, I guess he thought the same of me?  I declined the offer of a private room, being the exhibitionist that I am I guess. (It was pretty quiet mid-day on a Saturday, fortunately.)

 Then, they gave me lots of paper towels to soak up the water in my bag, and off I went, rather red faced about all of it.  They were actually laughing a bit as well.