I have very similar experiences. My older cat Hates being picked up. Sometimes she will stay calm when I carry her, even when it's clear she's not enjoying it, and other times she struggles and meows for me to put her down. It depends on her mood, what she's doing when I want to pick her up and where I want to carry her.
My younger cat doesn't like being transported around, but he likes when I pick him up for petting. Sometimes he gets a little bitey when I try to pick him up, but as soon as he realizes that it might be petting time, he practically starts climbing on me. For some reason he likes to put his paws over my shoulder, and just cling to me.
I have had both of them since they were kittens, and they were acting like this when I brought them in.
