They Must Be Crazy!

Hi Everyone,

I have said this before and unfortunately, I now have to say it again. Lacking common sense can be a terrible thing, especially when lives are involved. That's why I was so disappointed, no, make that disgusted, when I read this past week, that Transportation Security Administration Administrator, John Pistole, announced that the TSA will now allow small pocketknives to be carried on planes. Even though the blades can not be any longer than 2.36 inches and less than half an inch wide, what is the TSA thinking? Switch blades are not included, thank goodness. Only small folding pocketknives that don't lock into place will be allowed on.

Remember that my blog deals with facts, and I am not sure that a small pocket knife can in fact take down a plane. Since 9/11, planes have steel reinforced cockpit doors and I am pretty sure that a small pocketknife can not open a steel reinforced door. Hopefully?! So why are they dangerous? The obvious answer is the threat they can pose to flight attendants and other passengers. Flight attendants are the front line when something happens in the cabin. It is an unfair advantage to give to the bad guys or girls. Why give someone an unfair advantage when it serves no purpose? Does the TSA really believe nothing bad will happen if pocketknives are allowed in carry on bags or on your person? Does the TSA believe that pocketknives can't be a dangerous weapon? To me, this would be an accident just waiting to happen. Why doesn't the TSA understand that no knives should ever be allowed on planes, except in checked bags? This makes absolutely no sense to me. Does it to you? Come to think about it, I don't think the TSA would or could recognize common sense, even if it hit them squarely in the face!!!

FYI, the new rule also allows the following to be carried on; hockey sticks, billiard cues, golf clubs and small celebratory baseball bats. Has the TSA lost its mind? Does the TSA really, truly believe that planes will be as safe with all these potential weapons on board? How can their answer be yes? How does this happen without anyone else saying whoa, stop, this is not a good idea? Unfortunately, if these new rules are implemented, I believe that it will only be a matter of time before someone is injured or killed with one of those, but especially a pocketknife.

Not only are the Flight Attendants and their union totally against this new rule, but the Air Marshalls are also totally against this new rule. I haven't read anything yet about whether the Pilots union are against it, but I can't see them being for it!

Enough said.


Peter