In sort of good news, TSA has announced a slight relaxation of its liquid and goo rules. Now you can carry on containers holding up to 3.4 ounces (instead of the previous three ounces), as long as they still fit in a zip-top bag. And you can carry on larger containers, as long as they don't contain more than three ounces of goop. So, the half-empty toothpaste tube can now come on board. Whoopee.
One sort of cautionary note: When flying out of Asheville, N.C., on Monday, I had to go to the "welcome desk" to get a baggie, and they charged me a quarter for it. In Manchester, N.H., which I had flown out of, they handed them out for free when you got to the guy checking IDs and tickets in line. When in doubt, BYOB (bring your own baggie).