Why do TSA agents have different rules, then scold us like we are idiots for not knowing them?

Heard at MIA concourse J yesterday as I walked past to go to the bathroom: “TAKE your tablets OUT of your BAGS! You need to REMOVE your tablets, people!!!”

Then a few minutes later as I was about to go through security at concourse H: “(Exasperated sigh) You only need to remove LARGE electronics from your bags! Tablets can stay in! Please don’t waste time taking tablets and phones out!”

I get that it’s frustrating to stand there for hours telling people the same thing, and to deal with clueless passengers who slow things down. I try to be considerate and follow the rules, but agents need to acknowledge that things vary from airport to airport, and sometimes even within the same airport. It would be nice if they adhered to a standard set of rules, or at least didn’t get frustrated with us for not knowing THEIR particular rules.

Recently I heard TSA agents telling people in precheck to take liquids out, which I haven’t had to do in years.

Don’t even get me started on how the TSA agents at Logan “randomly” ask every 4th passenger in the pre-check line to remove their shoes. I never wear sandals when flying out of there because it happens so often.