I ended up packing all my liquids in my check in luggage because I just didn't want to deal with it and I also wanted more than 3 ozs of some items.
Gary, I have never had a problem with SAN except an occasional long line in the security lines in terminal 2. I just flew from there on Monday and I walked right up to the counter, no waiting.
I personally enjoy flying for the most part. Sure you are in a tight space with lots of strangers but it gets you where you need to go fairly fast. DH and I even got stuck in Chicago the week before last trying to get to San Diego and still I don't regret flying. Although sitting at the gate for 3 hours made me consider stepping off the plane and just going home
Although I guess I've been pretty lucky, I've been on dozens of flights in the last few years and I've never had to deal with major issues and last week was the first time.