I have a friend that travels alone a lot, and takes his laptop and things like custom electronics prototypes.
He regularly gets hassled at any kind of border security check.
Young guys travelling relatively light seem to he a prime target. 

 I regularly get quizzed but I find a happy laid back demeanour goes well. 

Also I mostly visit poorer countries and the arrival is usually way more chill. 

I’ve not had the drug or intimidation search since I last visited the US.