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December 3, 2005
Small Scissors and Tools Okay on Planes
From the stupid decision department:
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced changes in screening procedures at the nation's commercial airports,
allowing passengers to take small scissors on planes but increasing random passenger checks. Under the new procedures, which are
designed to give screeners more time to focus on detecting explosives, scissors less than 4 inches long and tools less than 7 inches long
will be allowed on aircraft.
CNN: Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, said allowing sharp-pointed scissors and similar objects on planes "could undermine the progress we have made in securing our skies since the 9/11 attacks." "The change in policy would do little to alleviate screening delays, since screeners would need to stop the conveyor belt to check whether the scissors in question fell within the new limits," she said in a letter to Hawley, urging him to drop the idea. Noting that the September 11 hijackers used box cutters to commandeer aircraft, Rep. Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts, said the TSA "should not make it easier for future Mohamed Attas to arm themselves with razor-sharp objects and bring down a passenger plane." "Flight attendants and passengers should not be put in a situation where ... a sharp scissors can be taken apart and used as a weapon at the throat of flight attendants and passengers," Markey said.
Cindy
Comments
Does anyone really believe an eyeglass repair kit or nail scissors are a threat? Haven't we yet learned that, although box cutters were sufficient on 9/11, it is unlikely they'll ever be a serious threat again because passengers have learned that the hijackers are not simply trying to divert the plane?
Brain matter deposited by: Christopher Taylor on December 6, 2005 12:12 PM
I don't think either utility is an absolute necessity to carry in one's luggage. The change in policy doesn't speed up screening, and pointed objects _remain_ pointed objects. Just because they're not box cutters doesn't mean they can't be used in a harmful manner.
Brain matter deposited by: Cindy on December 6, 2005 12:32 PM
You both have valid points. I do think it's unlikely that those things will be serious threats again because of what we've learned, but slowing down the screening process seems completely stupid. I mean, you can buy clippers or whatever for less than a buck. Is that buck really worth the hold up?
Brain matter deposited by: Kat on December 8, 2005 9:06 AM
No tools more than seven inches? Dang, there go my travel plans.
Seriously, there has to some sort of sane middle ground. While manicure scissors may not be much of a threat, looking through my toolbox I have some pretty nasty implements that would fall short of the seven inch mark.
Brain matter deposited by: Al on December 9, 2005 12:12 PM