Are we allowed to bring snacks and drinks?

Yes in a backpack or carry on bag as long as it does not set metal detectors off

No

Yes, small bags of chips, candy in a back pack.

Saw someone walk in with a small soft cooler bag and they got through.

Yep !!!

Yessss

I brought a cooler bag full. Person in front of me tried to bring a regular cooler and gpt turned away

Yes

1 bottle of water; had snacks

one bottle of water per person and couple of snacks