EU Bans Fishing Rods in Aircraft

The BBC ^ | January 16, 2004

[RWR8189]

The new list harmonises air safety regulations across the EU

EU officials are banning air passengers from taking potential weapons such as fishing rods, snooker cues, ice skates, ski poles and skateboards onto planes.

Knives and guns are also on a list of items to be prohibited from aircraft cabins as of 1 February.

The European Commission says it aims to give "clear and unambiguous information to passengers flying from EU airports".

The ban harmonises different air safety provisions in place across the 15 member states of the European Union.

National authorities could impose further bans if necessary, the commission said in a statement.

Commission officials also agreed on a separate list for checked luggage - items including bleach, rat poison, infected blood, vehicle batteries, corrosive or radioactive material will now be banned altogether from aircraft.

"Ensuring that air passengers are safe is a top priority for the EU," said the commission's head in the UK, Jim Dougal.

"This is why we need to ban items that could be used as weapons by terrorists."

Sky marshal row

Aviation officials from the EU and US met in Brussels on Friday to discuss American proposals to use armed sky marshals on transatlantic flights.

They did not reach an agreement.

A European spokesman said that while everybody was concerned with improving security, unilateral decisions could not be accepted.

Officials from Portugal, Sweden, Finland and Denmark said they would rather cancel flights than agree to the presence of armed guards, who they said could put the lives of passengers and crew at risk.

But senior US officials say armed guards are needed to prevent terrorist attacks.

They will now try to reach agreement with the EU's 15 member states on an individual basis.

[craig61a]

Outlaw fishing rods and only outlaws will have fishing rods...

[Wissa]

They'll get my snooker cue when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

[demlosers]

EU officials are banning air passengers from taking potential weapons such as fishing rods, snooker cues, ice skates, ski poles and skateboards onto planes.

Are pens and pencils next? Come fly the naked airlines.

[CasearianDaoist]

Halibut thing to say...really you cannot make this stuff up.

[aruanan]

What about a ring of keys? They can be threaded onto a belt to make a really good flail.

[chindog]

I'm really getting tired of putting up with all this carp.

[longjack]

Man, I really love fly fishing, too.

longjack

[demlosers]

Officials from Portugal, Sweden, Finland and Denmark said they would rather cancel flights than agree to the presence of armed guards, who they said could put the lives of passengers and crew at risk.

I guess you guys don't get to fly to the U.S., say goodbye to your money?
What? You dudes are going to reconsider your objection -- I thought so. Haha...

[EGPWS]

EU Bans Fishing Rods in Aircraft

ELIZABETH! I caught myself a big one at 35,000ft!!!

Now I have to pay my dues for the lunker of a lifetime, but it was worth it! LoL's!

[im4given]

can we say proud to be an american. all the more reason to stay n the good ol U.S.

[EGPWS]

Man, I really love fly fishing, too.

Hehehehe, stick to "sea level" angling and your freedom will not be in peril!

[aomagrat]

It looks like they're banning everything but terrorists.

[Capt. Tom]

Man, I really love fly fishing, too.

It's going to be difficult to smuggle a spey rod onboard. - Tom

[EGPWS]

can we say proud to be an american. all the more reason to stay n the good ol U.S.

Rick D(Z)erringer said it best after singing "Hang on Sloopy" when he railed a tune with Edgar Winter at the "Whisky Ago-go" named appropriately, "Back in the USofA! (It ain't so bad living in the USofA)

[E. Pluribus Unum]

What the airline industry should do is just sell tickets, but not actually transport anyone anywhere.

And anyone who refused to buy a certain number of tickets per year would be prosecuted for being a terrorist sympathizer.

[joesnuffy]

The EU (antiChrist) laws must be

HARMONIZED....

if that aint 'new speak' I'll eat my hat...

[Buck W.]

Something fishy here. I think the author's a Pisces, probably working for scale.

[Gritty]

I can kill somebody with my bare hands.

Does this mean I have to fly wearing a straight-jacket?

[Focault's Pendulum]

Man, I really love fly fishing, too.

That's reel fishy.