Pocket knives are for now still forbidden as airplane carry-on items.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has had second thoughts about allowing passengers to bring small knives and other potentially dangerous paraphernalia on board planes. The new rules to allow them were supposed to go into effect on Thursday.
Under the new carry-on rules that are now on hold at least temporarily, the TSA planned to allow knives less than 2.36 inches long and less than a half an inch wide. Passengers would have also been able to carry on certain sports equipment such as golf clubs, hockey sticks, and pool cues, along with ski poles and lacrosse sticks. These items have been banned on commercial passenger planes since September 11, 2001.
The feds have been receiving a lot of negative input about the revised carry-on rules so it is apparently seeking a broader consensus :
“The Transportation Security Administration said Monday that the policy change has been delayed to accommodate feedback from an advisory committee made up of aviation industry, consumer, and law enforcement officials. John Pistole, head of the Transportation Security Administration, proposed the policy change last month, saying it would free up the agency to concentrate on protecting against greater threats. TSA screeners confiscate about 2,000 small folding knives from passengers every day.”
The TSA added that the delay in implementing the new rule “will enable TSA to incorporate the feedback about the changes to the Prohibited Items List and continue workforce training.”
The TSA claimed that small knives and sports gear pose a limited threat to airplane pilots that are now protected by hardened cockpit doors, armed federal air marshals, and their own firearms.
Flight attendants and air marshals have vigorously opposed the rules change however.
Are you relieved or disappointed that the TSA has delayed the new rule on small knives aboard planes? Do you think the delay is likely to be permanent?
[Image via ShutterStock ]
