TSA Decides To Keep Ban Of Small Knives On Planes In Place For Now
Keep’em at home for now.
After a few weeks of backlash against the idea from the airline industry, flight attendants and air marshals, the Transportation Security Administration has decided to delay lifting the ban against small knives aboard airline flights. A few weeks ago the TSA said passengers would be allowed to carry knives that met certain descriptions, as well as some sporting equipment.
The TSA announced its change in tune yesterday, saying it was delaying the policy change so that the airline industry, passenger advocates and law-enforcement experts could weigh in on what should be allowed on planes.
“So we can incorporate their input and to continue training requirements nationwide, I have decided to temporarily delay implementing the prohibited items changes,” chief John Pistole wrote in a letter to employees. “This timing will enable TSA to incorporate the feedback about the changes to the Prohibited Items List and continue workforce training.”
Pistole originally announced a few weeks ago that blades up to 2.36 inches that were fixed and met other requirements would be allowed on flights starting April 25, but subsequently faced a loud outcry from flight attendants and law enforcement who opposed the change in the rules. Pistole later admitted he could’ve rolled out the idea in a better manner.
The Flight Attendants Union Coalition had argued vehemently against the change, and expressed its approval of Pistole’s recent move saying the timing is just not right for potential weapons floating around on flights.
“In the wake of the terrorist bombing in Boston last week … now is not the time to weaken transportation security,” said Sara Nelson, international vice president of the Association of Flight Attendants. “Flight attendants are breathing a sigh of relief that the weapons that led to the deadliest attack on U.S. soil in our nation’s history will not be allowed in the aircraft cabin this week.”
UPDATE: TSA Postpones Lifting Ban on Small Knives, For Now [Wall Street Journal]
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