MOSINEE (WAOW) -
Small knives will soon be allowed on airplanes, after TSA
relaxed a number of regulations for travelers.
Starting on April 25th, you can bring a small
knife in your carry-on luggage. Hockey sticks and small baseball bats have also
been added to the mix.
This change has people heated and sparked views on both
sides of the issue.
TSA officials say the move allows them to focus on more
serious matters, including guns and explosives.
"We know that these small little items are unlikely to
be used again to try and hijack an aircraft," Professor of Aviation
Management Jeff Price said.
"I would like to see them focus on other things,"
Sally Berman, Ontonagon, MI said.
After a review of current regulations, TSA leaders say small
knives do not pose a significant threat. But flight attendant union
representatives disagree.
"Having knives on board is a horrible decision and we
are incredibly disappointed in TSA for allowing weapons on board an aircraft,"
Association of Flight Attendants President Veda Shook said.
CWA traveler Paulette Lang agree, saying, "I don't think
they should allow knives onto the planes, no matter what size they are, because
they can be threatening."
Lang says safety is her number one priority when she takes
to the sky.
"I think we all want to be safe when we're flying. We
don't want to be threatened," Lang said.
But others at CWA say the change is not a big deal.
"I don't think anybody is going to try to take over an
airplane with a little knife," Mark Meacham of Marathon City
said.
Meacham says some of TSA's regulations are unnecessary.
"When people can't take their shampoo on their flight
that seems to me to be a little bit over the top" Meacham said.
TSA estimates four tons of knives are confiscated each month
at the 20 largest airports in the country. Officials say the change will speed
up the security process, but federal air marshals and flight attendants are
encouraging TSA to reconsider.
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http://www.tsa.gov/pil-sportequip
http://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/assets/pdf/tsa_permitted_items_update.pdf
