Pocket Knives Will Remain Banned On Planes Afterall
The forces of stupidity were held at bay as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reversed their plan to allow pocket knives on airplanes. Bloomberg is reporting that the agency altered its plans to allow pocket knives on airplanes after feeling intense pressure from lawmakers, airline executives and flight attendant unions.
In April, we reported on the TSA plan to allow pocket knives on airplanes, which cited a desire to conform to standard rules from other agencies around the globe. If the TSA got its way, they would have allowed for small pocket knives with blades no longer than 2.36 inches and no more than half an inch wide to be carried on planes, so long as the knife didn’t have a fixed blade or a molded grip.
The absurdity of potentially lessening the rules in this matter smacks in the face of common sense, considering that the 9/11 hijackers used little more than box cutters to carry out their deadly attacks.
Opponents of the TSA’s plan included Senator Charles Schumer and Representative Michael Grimm. Schumer called the potential change “dangerous” and Grimm referred to the plan as “borderline idiotic.” Velda Shook, international president of the Flight Attendants Union applauded the aborted proposal.
“The result is better security policy and the assurance that our nation’s aviation security system continues to be vigilant for knives that could be used in a terrorist attack or criminal act against passengers or crew,” Shook said in a statement.
Also applauding the reversal were executives from Delta, American and US Airways.
