More airlines contest TSA plan to OK knives on planes

[Chris_]

More airlines contest TSA plan to OK knives on planes, as lawmaker seeks reversal

Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey introduced a bill Tuesday to stop the government from allowing airline passengers to carry small knives on planes, as two more airlines this week joined in opposition to the revised federal policy.

Markey said he resorted to legislative action because the Transportation Security Administration refuses to reverse its recent policy change that permits knives and other potential weapons in cabins, despite widespread criticism.

“If TSA won’t reverse its policy to allow knives onto planes, then Congress will take action with this legislation,” the Democratic congressman said. “There is no reason for a passenger to have a knife on a plane, and allowing knives on planes puts our flight attendants, pilots and passengers at greater risk.”

Fox News

Markey wins the Broken Clock award for having some common sense.

[Eupher]

Fox News

Markey wins the Broken Clock award for having some common sense.

It's kinda hard getting through that armored door with a knife that's 2.36 inches long and no more than a half-inch wide.

[Chris_]

I still don't like the idea of knives being allowed on planes. 

[Dori]

It's kinda hard getting through that armored door with a knife that's 2.36 inches long and no more than a half-inch wide.

Why can't they just put them in their checked luggage?

[Eupher]

Why can't they just put them in their checked luggage?

Well, they can of course, but that means people THINKING about that knife they've had in their pocket for the past 47 years, 8 months and 6 days before remembering to put it in their checked bag. And there are PLENTY of people who insist on bringing everything they own onboard the aircraft. You've seen those massive carryons stuffed to the gills, right? 

It seems to me that TSA has been trying to deal with a non-issue by allowing these small folding knives onboard. That makes security lines go faster and less confiscation of what very well could be heirlooms.

Actually I applaud TSA for being reactive to public sentiment/pressure.

Now, if the bastards could just STOP GROPING PEOPLE, we might be okay. And those nefarious, evil, bottles of water that people put in their carryons and that get "caught" by the scanner not to mention the stupidity of having to take your shoes off (Richard Reid's still in prison, assholes!) unless you're an ancient geezer, well, we just might be getting somewhere.

A small penknife does not allow for a lot of torque by someone wanting to use it as a weapon, therefore it would not cause a great deal of damage if it were to be used that way. Could it kill someone? Sure. But the assailant would NOT get through the cockpit door with one of those.

[NHSparky]

And in other news, no, you still can't carry on a shampoo, water, or any other kind of bottle, and yes, you're still going to have to take off your shoes and get fisted by "Mister Banana Fingers" next time you hit the friendly skies.

[Dori]

People who fly frequently should be able to get some kind of a VIP pass.  I've flown to San Diego and San Francisco for work, when the planes had mostly just business people on them and they were without any luggage or carry on's.