"Scissors? Did someone say scissors would be allowed again?"
Posted on 11/30/2005 5:29:09 AM PST by zeke15
Sharp Objects May Be Allowed on Planes
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Airport security screeners are reportedly going to let passengers bring sharp objects on board airplanes again. Today's Washington Post says the Transportation Security Administration plans to announce security changes Friday.
Sources quoted by the paper say the new rules will allow things like scissors in carry-on bags. The reasoning is that such items are no longer regarded as the greatest threat to airline security. Homeland Security Department officials are said to be more concerned about preventing suicide bomb attacks at airports. Officials want screeners to focus more on finding things that can explode rather than things that are sharp.
The Post reports the newly relaxed rules would allow scissors under four inches long tools shorter than seven inches.
TSA spokeswoman says the new initiatives will be positive for both security and customer service.
What are they thinking???!!!
I miss the point of this. Was it a bomb, or a sharp object, that enabled the events of 9/11?
Does this clear the way for Pointed Sticks?
I suggest everyone arm themselves with scissors. I just hope the terrorists don't bring a hole puncher to a scissor fight.
Yes. However, running with the afore mentioned pointed sticks is still a no-no.
Was it a bomb, or a sharp object, that enabled the events of 9/11?
The proximate cause was a sharp object, but the underlying cause was that passengers weren't (and still aren't) allowed to carry licensed firearms on board. Change that rule and nobody will ever again hijack an aircraft with a box cutter.
I suggest everyone arm themselves with scissors.
Would-be Terrorists in Mexican Standoff with Airline Passengers Carrying Rock, Paper
Only if you have already been trained in how to overcome an assailant armed with a banana.
Is this such a dumb idea. The first guy that stands up with a pair of boxcutters and says 'I'm taking over this plane' is getting the bum rush by me and everyone else in coach. Good luck stopping all of us. I'll have my newly decriminalized nail clippers at the ready.
No comment.
It looks like we have learned NOTHING from 9/11. The borders are wide open, and we are relaxing any security measures that were deemed important. How can these measures now be relaxed? Did al-qaeda give up?
I thought the suggestion that the airlines put a 12" metal bar in every seat-back pocket had promise.
Sounds sensible to me. Nowadays, any hijackers with boxcutters would be ripped apart by the other passengers. Nailcutters and other small sharp objects should be allowed in bags.
Then again, sharp objects don't hijack planes, militant muslims do. Neither should be on a U.S. flight.
Dagnabbit. I still won't be able to fly anywhere.
No, that wouldn't happen. If they cut someone's throat there would be mass shock. I just don't get this ruling...its just not making any sense.
Hey, enough with the racial profiling ! (there's a joke in there)
Gee the TSA can't profile passengers to weed out possible terrorists yet shakes down little old ladies in walkers and Congressional Medal of Honor winners and gropes young females and now plans to allow passengers to bring scissors and "small" knives aboard. Why bother screening at all?...its become a joke.
I thought the suggestion that the airlines put a 12" metal bar in every seat-back pocket had promise.
That's not a bad idea, but I'd prefer a handgun with instructions for use. In fact, I'd love to see the presentation by the flight attendants: "In case of a highjacking, please remove the handgun from the seatback in front of you and insert the cartridge as Debbie is now demonstrating . . . "
(And you're right, we are overdue for Nehemiah Scudder. Could RAH have been that wrong?)
On Fox this morning, they commented that in the event of a high-jacking with sharp objects, the pilot would be able to land the plane because of the secured cockpit door but back in the cabin, the aisle would run with blood. My immediate thought was that the only blood in the aisle will be that flowing from the unrecognizable remains of the unfortunate schmuck who thought it would be a good idea to threaten a plane load of American passengers post 9/11.
"The proximate cause was a sharp object, but the underlying cause was that passengers weren't (and still aren't) allowed to carry licensed firearms on board. Change that rule and nobody will ever again hijack an aircraft with a box cutter."
I am a big supporter of the second ammendment, but I don't want guns on planes. I'd imagine terrorists would be in favor of this possibility. All they'd need to do is buy up ten or twelve seats, and have everyone out gunned. I doubt very many passengers would bring guns, so i'd wouldn't be very hard.
About time. I hate leaving my Bowie knife at home.
I am a big supporter of the second ammendment, but I don't want guns on planes. I'd imagine terrorists would be in favor of this possibility. All they'd need to do is buy up ten or twelve seats, and have everyone out gunned. I doubt very many passengers would bring guns, so i'd wouldn't be very hard.
That's a good point, but I still think the deterrent effect alone would generally prevent the scenario you envision. Highjackers don't want to get shot (and even the ones who want to fly planes into buildings don't want to get killed before they can do it). Even if there were a dozen or more highjackers/terrorists, each one of them would be risking death if even one other passenger were carrying. (As you probably know, the deterrent effect of concealed-carry laws works on the same principle: probably most people are not in fact carrying concealed weapons, but anyone might be.)
So now Al Franken's head and Ann Coulter's tongue will be allowed on board flights. :-D
This whole thing has always been a joke. Although one was not allowed to bring nail clippers -- metal pens (steel Mont Blanc for example) and credit cards (which can be sharpened) have never been banned and have a far more destructive potential. Finally, after years of martial arts training if someone were to stick a box cutter in my face I would stick it somewhere far more distasteful on their person.
Damn, I can't fly now...
Hey, I want to know if they will let me bring on my size 000 knitting needles. Pointy sticks made of steel....
Good question and point.
They had stinking little utility knives (aka 'box cutters'), BUT they also had boxes which allegedly held bombs.
And IIRC, on flight 93 over PA they realized there wasn't any bomb.
An aside, no terrorist with a 'sharpened object' will ever be able to hijack a plane again. Not in the USA anyway.
"Then again, sharp objects don't hijack planes, militant Muslims do. Neither should be on a U.S. flight."
Now you're talking. Lets get to the heart of the problem. Our first enemy is Muslims; a close second is Political Correctness.
Knitting needles are still verbotten. Can't have some granny knitting an Afghan.
But they will let you crochet one...I could do more damage with a smaller crochet hook than with knitting needles, but they don't seem to realize that.
If you are unable to open your complimentary pack of peanuts or sun-chips I'm sure the stewardess would do it for you after she pours your ginger ale...there's really no need for scissors...
Rock beats scissors.
I'll use the Bowie knife I brought onto the plane, thanks.
How does the TSA plan on checking for these?
I think you need to work on your "recovery" a little more. There was no "mass shock" on Flight 93. The difference between that flight and the other three was that they knew what the intentions of the hijackers was. In a post-911 world, there will never again be an airplane hijacked with any weapon, for any reason. Now we have to worry about bombs, not hijackers.
Dull objects will still be allowed.
Dull objects like TSA employees.
"That's a good point, but I still think the deterrent effect alone would generally prevent the scenario you envision. Highjackers don't want to get shot (and even the ones who want to fly planes into buildings don't want to get killed before they can do it). Even if there were a dozen or more highjackers/terrorists, each one of them would be risking death if even one other passenger were carrying. (As you probably know, the deterrent effect of concealed-carry laws works on the same principle: probably most people are not in fact carrying concealed weapons, but anyone might be.)
"
I don't think the islamic crazies care about that. They'd just pack a plane. They wouldn't care if they lost one or two hijackers, because they come from a culture of death and were aiming to die for Allah anyway.
they are thinking of the people who use scissors for medical reasons.
people like my family
Ever since 9/11, I have suggested a Federal Concealed Carry program, where people who already have CCW permits in their state could apply for certification. After a background check and an air-specific training class, they would be allowed to carry on board airliners.
This would prevent any bozo trying to hijack an airplane with a sharp object.
There will never be enough "air marshals" to protect every flight. Plus, they are easily spotted, due to their silly attire requirements. With a CCW program, no one would know who was armed, which would pretty much remove airliners as a potential target for terrorism.
They are? The article makes no mention of doing this for people who need scissors for medical reasons, it says they're doing it b/c explosives are a greater threat. If someone needs to bring something on a plane for medical reasons I'm sure they can make special arrangements. That doesn't mean they need to allow anyone to bring sharp objects on board...
They can't play it that way; they don't know if 1, 5 or 50 passengers are armed.
And "packing a plane" would rather defeat their purpose, wouldn't it?
the article may not mention it but the TSA intends it.
I am doubly sure becuase we just traveled last week, the bag was identified via x-ray, they searched the kit and confirmed the scissors, then the fella spoke to me of the new reg's and that if I ever had a prob to make sure the screeners understood they are for med reasons and speak to a supervisor if I have too.
the scissors we use have a rounded tip.
i dont know the details if they had a pointed end.
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