I didn't say they are dropping their liquids bans, more that they are relaxing the additional inspection at the gate (in airports where there is already a centralised security which bans outside liquids as normal). For example, I recently flew FJ, SYD-NAN-LAX, and there was no gate security check for the NAN-LAX segment, even though liquids were available for purchase in the NAN terminal, but the check applied for the NAN-SYD flight on return. I don't know the full details of if/when the secondary inspection still applies, sorry - maybe it's similar to Australia where some airports are whitelisted, and US and AU treat NAN differently? Certainly, outbound departures from AU -> US direct no longer has the liquids check at the gate, though they still have extra security personnel checking those little stickers they put on your passport at check-in.