TSA Drops Plan For Knives On Planes

The Transportation Security Administration reconsiders a controversial proposal: knives on planes.

FOX News Radio’s Steve Taylor reports from Washington:

The TSA’s idea was to allow passengers to bring small knives, golf clubs and other sports equipment onto airplanes. Anthony DeMaio of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, one of several aviation organizations that objected:

(DeMaio) “From the very beginning when this proposal was announced back in March, we saw it as a serious threat to the safety of our passengers.”

DeMaio says it was small box cutter knives that let the 9/11 hijackers take over jetliners. Now the TSA has decided to continue the ban on such items. DeMaio says it’s the right decision because it will keep airlines and airliners safe.

In Washington, Steve Taylor, FOX News Radio.

READ a statement from the TSA:

“TSA strongly values the input of our partners and traveling public, and appreciates the varying points of view shared throughout the review process. After extensive engagement with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, law enforcement officials, passenger advocates, and other important stakeholders, TSA will continue to enforce the current prohibited items list. TSA’s top priority continues to be expansion of efforts to implement a layered, Risk-Based Security approach to passenger screening while maximizing resources. Risk-Based Security enhances the travel experience while allowing TSA to continue to keep passengers safe by focusing on those we know less about, and we will continue to take steps to improve our ever evolving security posture while also improving the experience of the traveling public.”

READ a statement from U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer regarding the TSA’s decision:

?It seemed obvious to most travelers and airline employees that the decision to allow knives on planes was wrong, and we’re glad the TSA, after further review and input, has seen it our way.? This decision will allow TSA agents to focus on more important things than measuring the length of knives, and sorting the ‘good’ knives from the ‘bad’. Their move is the right one, and I’d like to thank them to listening to our input and the input of the flying public.?