After just returning from a Europe trip, we found it unusual that while bottled water is sold abroad, it is clearly the Americans (which I am) that are so rabid about it's necessity at every turn.

While you can come down on either side on the debate, there's a simple solution that I always wondered about even pre-ban.

The friggin' airlines should just hand water in bottles to people as they board!

They are already carrying water on board to sell, as well as in the tanks. People also used to carry them onboard. So weight is not an issue...

I can, at my local box store, purchase 36 bottles (12 oz I think) at my local box store for around $5..so I'm assuming buying in bulk on those little tiny 4 or 6 oz bottles would be much cheaper.

Convert a couple of the storage lockers just inside the door where the goofy FA now stands parroting "Welcome aboard....welcome aboard....welcome aboard" to water bottle storage in some horizontal array.

Then, as you come by, they say "Would you like some water as you settle in for the flight?" If you have extraordinary water needs, you could request a few, etc.

These could also be much more easily handled during rough weather, etc.

I just don't get it...this is a problem easily solved at almost no cost to the TSA/flying public.

It doesn't solve the paste/gel ban, but let's face it, water is what most people seem to be in an uproar about.