Small knives to be permitted in carry-on luggage

Flight attendants union calls the decision 'outrageous' and 'dangerous'

03/06/2013 | ConsumerAffairs | Travel

By James Limbach

A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years, Jim Limbach covers the federal agencies for ConsumerAffairs. Previously, he was a reporter and news anchor for Associated Press Broadcast Services, where he covered business and consumer news as well as space shots and other major spot news events. Read Full Bio→

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Starting April 25, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is changing its guidelines on Prohibited Items to allow airline passengers to carry small knives permitted in their carry-on luggage.

The knives must meet the following requirements to be allowed in carry-on bags:

The blade must be no more than 2.36 inches or 6 cm in length -- from tip to where it meets the handle or hilt.
The blade must be no more than ½ inch in width.

Knives with locking or fixed blades, molded grips and razors and box cutters are not permitted

If a passenger is unsure if an item meets the requirements, TSA suggests placing it in checked luggage.

Sports equipment

In addition to small knives, the following items of sports equipment will be allowed to be carried on a flight:

Lacrosse Sticks
Pool Sticks/Cues
Golf Clubs (limited to 2)
Hockey Sticks
Ski Poles
Bats more than 24 inches in length and less than 24 ounces

The agency says the decision to permit certain items in carry-on luggage was made as part of what it calls its “overall risk-based security approach,” and aligns TSA with International Civil Aviation Organization Standards and its European counterparts.

Difference of opinion

The president of TWU Local 556, the Southwest Airlines’ Flight Attendants Union, calls the decision "outrageous." Stacy K Martin says the new policy was designed "to make the lives of TSA staff easier, but not make flights safer."

He calls the change "an unnecessary risk for everyone who flies," adding that it is "dangerous, shortsighted and should be immediately rescinded."

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Brenda Ann Ware

This change is going to "bite them in the but." You can really hurt or kill someone with any of these things and yes with a small knife.

Pat Staley

Brenda, yes it will.

Cassie Wilkerson

I'd rather have nail clippers with the short file under 2 inches....you can't have a blade more than 2 inches or the width stated. As it is still lethal to puncture a major artery in the body and the human heart can be penetrated pending velocity and ideal location with a 2 inch blade. I agree with the flight attendants at flight and away from valid immediate medical treatment - likelihood of death. But here is a suggestion to make them drop it has any one thought the of increased insurance costs this will do to the commercial airline industry - increase insurance rates a chain reaction increase ticket sales will deter a lot of business! Businesses that require travel must up their costs too for this risk on employee benefits!