Posted on 12/08/2004 2:40:01 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Passengers already are barred from smoking on commercial flights. Now they won't be allowed to bring their butane lighters on board either.
As part of the intelligence reform bill passed Wednesday, Congress added the lighters to the long list of banned items, including scissors, pen knives and box cutters.
Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota had pushed for the change for more than a year after learning the Transportation Security Administration allowed them on planes.
"When I found out that they had explicitly, in their rule, said you could take two butane lighters and four books of matches on board, I thought, 'What have they been drinking?'" Dorgan said. Matches still are allowed.
Dorgan cited FBI reports that would-be "shoe-bomber" Richard Reid would have been able to ignite his explosive and blow up a trans-Atlantic jetliner three years ago if he'd brought a butane lighter with him.
Wyden and Dorgan were so persistent in their campaign against the incendiary devices that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., joked earlier this year that he never thought butane lighters would get so much attention.
"This is probably not the biggest thing in the world," Dorgan said. "But it's one of those areas where a big government agency couldn't develop a little bit of common sense about something so obvious."
The ban takes effect 60 days after President Bush signs the intelligence reform bill into law.
Dude, you really should look into this thing called "anger management". Wishing somebody dead for a post on FreeRepublic is the teensiest weensiest bit over the top.
Nor do I suspect that was a desired result. : )
I might want to set a liberal on fire!
It only takes one time to make regrets.
Nope, no strip searches for them. (Dang people seemed to be obsessed with the strip searches! LOL) I know some will still get on the plane. But, this will at least minimize it.
Not really a bizarre internal fantasy. I am willing to bet there are more pyromaniacs that fly on commercial aircraft daily than terrorists.
Why not remove all the planes that have the same type of fuel tank and electrical components as the plane which blew up?
Oh thats right we are not really trying to stop possible problems, we are trying to stop smoking.
That is what this is about, period.
And I completely support that! Just do it at the baggage claim, not on the plane. LOL : )
Fine, let me carry a Glock and I promise to take care of any pyromaniacs.
How about we compromise and let the pilots carry the glock? : )
It should be up to the airline not the Feds.
" Wishing somebody dead for a post on FreeRepublic is the teensiest weensiest bit over the top."
Anger had nothing to do with it and the statement stands.
How, pray tell, do you propose to detect non-metallic matches?
I agree with that. Can't say I want anyone accept pilots and authorized law enforcement packing on the plane though.
Either wait until you get your baggage, or if you're jonesing so bad on a layover, buy a cheap Bic.
Buy your own airline.
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