My efforts at education elicited a suggestion that if I did not move along (obviously not interested in the differences between solid and gel) that they had plenty of room in a holding cell...this was when I actually asked for a supervisor.

Like that did any good - especially since I was already agitated (not yelling or cursing or anything like that, just noting the inconsistencies in each of their statements; but we all know how people with perceived power like to have that happen). Supervisor made it sound like this was a directive from higher up in TSA, hence my earlier query.