A large part of the chaos was probably because it happened virtually without warning. Even then, frequent and savvy flyers started trying to network and find out how to handle it very quickly. And wasn't that when the Scott E-vest really got attention?

I don't think the airlines or TSA would take passenger convenience or short-term chaos into consideration at all. The airlines would probably be guess-timating how much additional revenue it might generate and some TSOs would be having a field day with all the new influx of take-home goodies and some baggage handlers and TSA luggage screeners would also no doubt be rubbing their hands in anticipation of new bonus opportunities.