TSA will probably assume you just checked your luggage at the ticket counter. But they won’t care either way.

I did an air commute with, weekends at home and weekdays on-site at an apartment. I flew with my phone, headphones and wallet only as my key got hidden in my beater car-bumper. Never had a second glance at TSA.

What’s your complexion?

Good luck. I hope your brother gets good treatment and everything works out for the better Don.

No. I’ve done many short haul flights like that without problems, including in the US. (For example Houston to Mobile, only to return the same day). Despite perpetually looking like I’m a confused foreigner (mostly because I am a confused foreigner), I’ve had no noteworthy issues with the TSA.

Only thing I can think of was that one time they did not understand that, yes, you can in fact have a TWIC and a C1/D visa without working for an airline. Cost me maybe 5 minutes extra.

Sometimes the duration of your stay is a short one, and your baggage (or lack thereof) will reflect that.

If you don’t want to attract attention, be bored.

And let all your face and body show it at all times.

Do all the typical things at the right time. Don’t talk to anybody - only the needed minimum. Have neither fear nor fun.

If you’re so worried about this, why not take a backpack? You’re always safer with a change of clothes in case something happens and even on short flights having a tablet to watch something on the plane can be useful. Plus I think all tickets allow for a backpack.

In any case I don’t think it’s weird, I’ve seen many people traveling without any sort of luggage and never thought twice about it.

We rarely check bags.

They do random targeting, so even if you were carrying nothing, it’s still possible