Inconsistency is a trade mark of TSA.

I have the same practice of putting everything in my laptop bag and usually leave home with my watch and other metal in my laptop bag except for my cell phone which I stuff in there at the last minute as I walk up to security. I carry some change for toll booths but it is im my bag when I leave home. This makes for an expedited trip through xray and MD. Shoes off, laptop in its own tray, jacket in another tray. Why is this a problem now?

At my home airport I don't have to take the liquids out of my carry-on which I found out by accident last year when I forgot to one time. Since then I never do and have never been questioned (countless trips through security since then). At all other airports I always take my liquids out.

At STT I was scolded for using a zip lock that was too large and for mixing my liquids (all two of them) with my toothbrush and razor. "These items are not liquids and these items are liquids. Your liquids must in this size bag and not this size bag" in a very loud voice in an obvious attempt to embarass me.
I had traveled that way for years and never had a problem.

It is pretty sad when you have to keep a mental checklist of the differences in TSA policies at various airports. We'll have to see if "bag stuffing" is added to the official list of TSA no-no's.