Posted on 11/30/2005 8:35:28 AM PST by xjcsa
WASHINGTON - Airline passengers will be allowed to carry small scissors and tools onto planes, reversing a rule that led to confiscation of many thousands of sharp objects at airports since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, a Homeland Security Department official said Wednesday.
Transportation Security Administration chief Kip Hawley on Friday will announce changes to the list of items prohibited in carry-on luggage and to the airport screening process, according to the official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because the plan has yet to be announced.
With federal air marshals on planes, bulletproof cockpit doors, armed pilots and 100 percent screening of checked baggage, the threat of a terrorist taking over an airplane has lessened since the 2001 attacks, the official said. The biggest concern now is explosives.
Though the new list of prohibited items hasn't been finalized, certain sharp objects won't be on it, the official said, including scissors less than 4 inches long and wrenches and screwdrivers less than 7 inches long.
Air Transport Association spokesman David Castelveter said the industry has been briefed on the plan and supports it.
"What we believe, as does the TSA, is that we should be focusing on what poses the greatest risk," Castelveter said.
Glory Hallelujah! Common sense prevails - at last!
I pity any terrorist (not really) who tries to take over a plane with a pair of toenail clippers these days.
I like to carry a leatherman tool. I used to have it in my carry-on all the time. i don't think it would get through even with these new regs.
What the article doesn't mention is the overwhelming buildup of evidence that the passengers will kick the crap out of anyone attempting a takeover. I still contend that "dual use" items such as small knives, scissors, and tools should be REQUIRED prior to boarding and if you don't have any, they should issue you duct tape or cable ties.
Good, now we can play Rock-Paper-Scissors fer real........uh, are rocks still allowed?.......
Good questions.
AAAAAHH! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!
They've always allowed tools....It seems like there's always one sitting next to me.
This is good, they need to be looking for terrorists, not scrutinizing every little object brought on board. Heck, I could kill you with my metal-barrel pen, but I can't bring nail clippers on board. How much sense does that make? You'll never be able to screen out all potential weapons because there are tons of everyday objects that could be used as weapons. The Sept. 11th attackers were already on terror watch-lists but they were allowed to board because of stupid bureacratic policies.
Oh gee
Massa gon' let us po' servants carry scissors on his airplanes.
Jackass government thugs. I'll believe these people are serious when they start strip searching mohammedans and leaving 80 year old grandmas in wheel chairs the hell alone.
Quick! What does TSA stand for?
Not very likely. Until I can take my folding knife and leatherman onboard I am still not convinced.
I just had this same converstation with another on this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1531117/posts
medical reasons
For a lot of people yes. Some of us prefer to cross stitch, or do needlepoint on flights. The guy next to you never reads cross stitch over your shoulder.
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