BD1791
You have first hand experiences with those places and people. Personally, in the situation I think of, I'd find it the less likely variant or even far fetched to assume you were forced - especially when you show up on your own and convey the opposite.
Anyway, what I wanted to say was starting by 'testing the water' at some favorable occasion not introducing everyone - particularly not in your immediate vicinity - at once.
You are oviously aware that trying to not tell anybody is a gamble as well. A gamble that many find themselves in.
BD1791 I don't anticipate a search or anything but it makes my anxiety shot up.
I'm not sure whether that is the better alternative on the long run. (That's why I hope we can raise the reputation of our choices and devices. Until our fear becomes undoubtedly unsubstantiated. That's for the long run, though.)
Regarding searches or not, I guess my misunderstanding is fed by my personal experience in these situations: I'm used to scans and security teams that almost surely will stop you and probably pad you down until they have a sufficient answer what caused the alarm. If you only get lax controls, I see why you have different expectations.
Still, I was wondering whether you already have thought about plan b if you continued with the plan hiding it but a check actually doesn't let you through without identifying all metallic items first?
. It might be a long week.