In a reversal of regulations implemented post-9/11, small pocketknives and various sporting equipment will soon be permitted in U.S. airplane cabins, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) chief on Tuesday.
Effective April 25, knives with blades under 2.36 inches (6 centimeters) and less than a 1/2 inch wide, as long as they are not fixed or lockable, will be allowed on U.S. flights. Additionally, two golf clubs, toy bats, and sports sticks like ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, or pool cues can be carried in hand luggage.
TSA head John Pistole explained that these changes align the U.S. with international rules and reflect a shift towards “risk-based security.” Enhanced cockpit doors, improved intelligence, and vigilant passengers have diminished the necessity for strict prohibitions on small knives, allowing screeners to focus on detecting more significant threats like bomb components.
However, a union representing 90,000 flight attendants criticized the decision, labeling it “a poor and short-sighted decision by the TSA.” They argued that maintaining the prohibition on these items is crucial for aviation system security.
Although the 9/11 hijackers were widely reported to have used box cutters, the weapons were not recovered, and investigators believe different types of knives were employed. The TSA has gradually eased restrictions on banned items over the years, occasionally expanding the list in response to security concerns.
Under the TSA’s “risk-based security” initiative, the changes aim to streamline the screening process without compromising safety. TSA spokesperson David Castelveter assured that screeners would use “common sense” in applying the rules, avoiding unnecessary delays. The Air Line Pilots Association International praised the effort to harmonize U.S. rules with international standards and endorsed “risk-based security” as beneficial for the industry, airlines, and travelers.