It's hard times for the airlines and instead of being fiscally responsible they're foisting off charges onto their customers, even the ones who are loyal and have had frequent flyer accounts for 20+ years.

The only advice I can give is to get a bulk head seat when possible (more leg room) and take an EMPTY water bottle (like a Nalgene) through security (I recommend leaving the cap off so they can see it's empty and so they won't hassle you) and fill it with tap water when you're inside the "sterile" area. Tap water is better for you than bottled anyways.

As for security experience as a whole, just bear with it and be cooperative no matter what. Some TSA people are just awful and won't give anyone a reprieve. It's especially frustrating because if someone REALLY wanted to get something through without being caught or figure out how to blow up the plane it wouldn't be at all difficult. The procedures are to make people FEEL safe - even when they do "tests" on the security systems more often than not the watchdogs/TSA hired testers get tons of stuff through. Just grit your teeth and remember that you'll be out of there soon.