Post Classifieds
Airport security takes confusing step backwards
By Tyeisha Prior
On March 14, 2013
On Tuesday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it would lift the ban on
passengers bringing small knives aboard airplanes that was instituted after the Sept. 11 attacks.
According to CNN, knives with blades 2.36 inches (6 cm) or shorter and less than half an inch wide will
be allowed in carry-on luggage. Box cutters and razor blades are still prohibited.
Sporting equipment, such as golf clubs, baseball bats and hockey sticks will also be allowed in carry-on
luggage. The TSA claims these objects, especially sharp objects, do not pose a threat because they cannot
destroy an airplane.
The rule is set to go into effect on April 25. If this doesn't raise a few eyebrows, then I don't know what's
wrong with humanity these days.
They argue that the rule change will allow airport screeners to focus their efforts on looking for bomb
components, which pose a bigger threat. They say airports now have better security, making it impossible
for small-scale terrorist attacks to happen.
Former head of TSA Kip Hawley even had the gall to say this rule should go further and allow weapons
such as machetes and battle-axes aboard planes.
I can understand the reason for allowing sporting equipment on planes. In my opinion, the sporting
equipment mentioned in the policy should only be allowed if you're a professional athlete, or if you have
a legitimate reason as to why you have the equipment on board.
I think the real concern here is the carrying of knives and other sharp objects.
Although I haven't been on a plane in a few years, I think this new rule is absolutely ridiculous. It's not
the prospect of the plane being destroyed that concerns me, it's the safety of the passengers.
Apparently, the thought has completely flown over the TSA's heads.
I don't know about you, but I don't want to be on a plane knowing that someone could have a knife or
even a machete with them. No one should have to feel that their life is on the line just because they are
traveling.
The TSA prohibits large shampoo and water bottles on the plane, but they are considering allowing
knives - it makes absolutely no sense to me.
Sure, there might be legitimate reasons as to why you would have these objects on the plane, such as
safety scissors for a child, but what could happen if that sharp object were to be placed in the wrong
hands?
It's like the TSA has forgotten why it banned knives on planes in the first place. The Sept. 11 terrorists
attacked and killed passengers with weapons such as pocketknives. Sept. 11 was a horrific national attack
that should never have happened, and shouldn't be repeated.
It shouldn't matter that the attacks happened 12 years ago. The safety of the passengers should be the
number one priority on the TSA's list.
By lifting these bans, it's only time before we hear something in the news about someone getting injured,
dying or ultimately having another national attack.
The TSA is really dropping the ball by allowing this policy to go into effect. I just hope their common
sense comes back to allow them to think more clearly and rationally about this ludicrous policy change.
Tyeisha Prior can be reached by email at prior.record@live.com.
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