It's not merely inconvenience at the border, but travel has become cost ineffective to him.
An expensive piece of kit lost that meant that I basically didn't make any money that month.
and
After 9/11 everyone is utterly paranoid and everyone from security guards to police, and even random passers-by, have hassled me. Claiming that I am breaking the law (I am not) or demanding I explain why I am taking pictures.
"I usually have to spend a lot of time being interrogated for my lack of a huge suitcase" he is bothered at the border. He is talking about the whole experience not only about the cost.
An expensive piece of kit lost that meant that I basically didn't make any money that month.
and
After 9/11 everyone is utterly paranoid and everyone from security guards to police, and even random passers-by, have hassled me. Claiming that I am breaking the law (I am not) or demanding I explain why I am taking pictures.