It doesn’t sound quite right, something else is going on. I suspect he knew he’d get hassled. Performance art? Was he wired in some other way, video and audio? A “watch” with fuses on it? Apparently visible? What, did he have some sort of complex about his height with all the insoles? Had to know it would show up in the security scan.
I don’t like the TSA at all because the nature of the organization, but there actually are people who would love to blow up or crash an airliner again. Security measures are called for. That the measures we got appear to be largely a PC sham that harasses innocent grandmothers and such while letting individuals who fit the profile sail right through is why they’re so detested.
If it wasn’t some weird arty thing then he was making a dry run of sorts, that or he’s very libertarian and was attempting civil disobedience.
“What reasonable person would take those items into an airport in this day and age?”