I have to agree, it seems stupid and arbitrary, but I saw why the ban on "innocent" things like hand lotion, at least the limiting of quantities.

After they caught a crew, each with one part of an explosive disguised as cosmetic is when all this happened. I saw a film clip of the results of mixing three 8 oz (250 ml) components in a parked plane's after toilet in a salvage yard. It blew the entire tail off! Pretty scary.

There are a couple of clear or nearly clear water like common household chemicals that when mixed together produce a deadly gas, used in chemical warfare. I would rather that they be too careful than not enough.

I haven't tried flying kilted, but have developed a totally non-metallic wardrobe. I slip out of my shoes, and breeze through the gate every time.