Aviation security changes mulled

The federal agency in charge of aviation security is considering major changes in how it screens airline passengers, including proposals that, an official said, would lift the ban on carrying razor blades and small knives as well as limit pat-down searches. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will meet later this month to discuss the plan, which is designed to reduce checkpoint hassles for the nation's 2 million passengers. The agency proposed the changes after its new chief, Edmund S. Hawley, called for a broad review in hopes of making airline screening more passenger-friendly. An initial set of staff recommendations drafted Aug. 5 also proposes that passengers no longer have to remove their shoes routinely during security checks. Instead, only passengers who set off metal detectors, are flagged by a computer screening system or look "reasonably suspicious" would be asked to do so, a TSA official said yesterday. Any of the changes the staff proposed, which also would allow scissors, ice picks and bows and arrows on flights, would require Mr. Hawley's approval, said the official, who requested anonymity because there has been no final decision. "The process is designed to stimulate creative thinking and challenge conventional beliefs," TSA spokesman Mark Hatfield said. "In the end, it will allow us to work smarter and better as we secure America's transportation system." The Aug. 5 memo recommends reducing frisks by giving screeners the discretion not to search those wearing tight-fitting clothes. It also suggests exempting several categories of passengers from screening, including federal judges, members of Congress, Cabinet members, state governors, high-ranking military officers and those with high-level security clearances.

The last sentence of this is very scary. As stupid as the TSA screening procedures are, at least we all (theoretically) are burdened by them. Starting down the slippery slope of creating a "privileged" class is a very dangerous business. It evokes memories of the old Soviet Union where the politically elite were largely isolated from the economic failures of the system they governed.

"It also suggests exempting several categories of passengers from screening, including federal judges, members of Congress, Cabinet members, state governors, high-ranking military officers and those with high-level security clearances."

Above the law.

Awesome, another example of the ruling class here in the US.

The royalty, and the serfs.

">>would lift the ban on carrying razor blades and small knives as well as limit pat-down searches.<<
Please explain to me why a person needs these items on a flight. And how about a box cutter? Yeah, there's nothing worse than cruising along at 34,000 feet and suddenly finding yourself unprepared when the UPS man brings you a nice big box full of cookies from Aunt Sally."

Ok.. now lets review a thing that has been common in America for years.. Carrying a Pocket Knife. For years my father carried a Case knife and it was part of his standard pocket kit before he walked out the door.. I myself have carried a legal 3 1/2" folder in my own pocket for quite sometime. Cutting paper, opening a box, cutting a bit of cheese.. you name it.. its been used.

Heck. Both he and I use to fly with those knives in our pockets.. they were tools. If we would be terrorist.. I would use something with a little more umph.. but I am generally a law abiding citizen.. I just want to get where I am going..

But now since September 11th, if I want to fly.. I can not carry the tool that is part of me most of the time otherwise. Because some fools managed to scare the bejesus out of passengers with box cutter knives.. I have to store my pocket knife in my luggage.. when I get to my destination I would have to open my bags and retrieve something that in most areas of the USA.. would be perfectly legal to carry.

But the TSA was confiscating fingernail clippers.. that would have be disasembled and would expose a blade that would be a hair over 1/8" in blade length if used as a weapon. This was going way overboard in my opinion..

>>would lift the ban on carrying razor blades and small knives as well as limit pat-down searches.<<

Please explain to me why a person needs these items on a flight.

I have a small Swiss Army knife, about 2 inches long. It has a knife blade, a nail file, and a pair of scissors.

It sure would come in handy opening those airline packets of pretzels, and filing ragged fingernails (I seem to get at least one broken nail every flight). Banning things like that was stupid right from the start.

"would lift the ban on carrying razor blades and small knives as well as limit pat-down searches"

All the more reason to have more Guns in the cockpits!
As a commercial Airline pilot I fully support more guns up front. Since the FFDO program started, there have been 0 accidental discharges due to the pilots having guns.
Besides that's all the more NRA and more importantly, second Amendment supporters.

regards.

>>would lift the ban on carrying razor blades and small knives as well as limit pat-down searches.<<
Please explain to me why a person needs these items on a flight. And how about a box cutter? Yeah, there's nothing worse than cruising along at 34,000 feet and suddenly finding yourself unprepared when the UPS man brings you a nice big box full of cookies from Aunt Sally.

Others have pointed out the usefulness of a pocket knife. Beyond that consider that not everything that is carried on is necessarily intended for use on the flight. It would be nice if I didn't need to repack my briefcase or backpack which might contain razor blades, scissors, or other cutting instruments.

Of course there is the possibility of using these should a terrorist try to take over the plane. I often say that I would prefer that the old lady sitting next to me have a pair of scissors in her bag that can be used if a terrorist tries to take over the airplane using a nonmetallic knife which he had hidden on his person. The time is past when anyone will be able to take over a plane by threatening the passengers with box cutters.

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