Perhaps the flight attendent was profiling - there is no mention of the background or appearance of the passengers allowed on with water bottles. It could have been the proverbial 75 year old granny or the 10 year old boyscout.
Absolutely! That's my point.
BTW - the greatest single hero of the "WOT" so far has been that stewardess who stopped the "Shoe Bomber". We don't even know her name, do we? No, we're supposed to worship GOVERNMENT.