MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) For the first time since 2001, the Transportation Security Administration is allowing small knives and sporting equipment on planes.
Such items were banned in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Starting April 25, passengers can carry knives with blades six centimeters or shorter. It also has to be less than a half inch wide. As long as the blade is not fixed or locked, it will now be permitted.
Golf clubs and toy bats, along with other sports sticks used for hockey and lacrosse will be allowed in carry on luggage. TSA says the changes will align with national and international security standards.
A few things that will not be allowed:
- razer blades
- box cutters
Anthony Headlend flys every week for work. He stated he thinks the changes are a great idea.
"I think they're a little too strict right now, and they need to loosen that up a little bit," said Headlend. "I don't feel like that having pocket knives or something that small is really going to cause any concern on an airplane."
"Can I be frank? I think it's idiotic," said passenger Darrell Walker.
He added, "How long is it going to take for someone to use it?"
TSA stated, "Through TSA’s layered approach to security, and to align more closely with International Civil Aviation Organization standards, effective April 25, 2013, TSA will allow knives that do not lock, and have blades that are 2.36 inches or six centimeters or less in length and are less than half an inch in width, novelty-sized and toy bats, billiard cues, ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks and two golf clubs as part of their carry-on baggage. This is part of an overall Risk-Based Security approach, which allows Transportation Security Officers to better focus their efforts on finding higher threat items such as explosives."
Walker said, "That doesn't sound logical. If you have a weapon and with the intent to use it, you will use it. So, why even allow it?"
To see the diagram of what is and what is not allowed,
CLICK HERE.
