Do you think it's common sense for TSA to allow pocket knives?

I have a pocket knife with me at all times. It's amazing how often that little sucker comes in handy, from opening packages to trimming nails.

It's a pain to need to remember to put it in checked baggage, and I'd rather fly without checked baggage anyway. Quicker in and out.

So, while I agree with the poster complaining about baby food etc., I'm very happy to gain this one small step back to sanity.

And, for the posters who believe some terrorist is going to try hi-jacking a plane with a pocket knife, I say, Grow a Spine, will you? You remember what happened to that "underwear bomber"? The other passengers beat the snot out of that guy!

The same thing would happen if some idiot tried anything with a pocket knife! Oh sure, maybe one or two people might get a minor cut, but the would-be hi-jacker would be pleading for mercy (and not getting any).

When you consider what other items are completely harmless by itself, but can be abused to attack someone, it sounds ridiculous to suddenly allow pocket knives on planes. Since there is no conceivable need of any kind to use a pocket knife during the flight for ANY passenger, these new rules only add to the risk of injury or death in case of an attack. Much like an ice pick, a knife with a small blade can, under the right circumstances and on the right body part, kill a person instantly!

On another note: the head of the TSA said, that this move would bring the USA into alignment with international rules, but this is largely untrue. I've flown a lot between Europe, Asia and Australia, but I have made different experiences. I don't claim to know about the issue of pocket knives, but I know for a fact, that sporting utensils (like golf clubs, ski poles or various sticks) are generally not allowed as carry-on luggage anywhere I've flown.

Good grief—Yes! it is common sense to allow pocket knives. They were allowed from like 1903 through September 2001—almost a hundred years without a problem.

However, since the security measures have been put into effect, someone I know has continued to carry a mini Swiss army knife (like http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fr... ). Out of hundreds of airport scans, his knife has only been found once, and that was in a German airport.

The metal detector thresholds are set high enough that they do not trigger on a little knife, just like they let pass metal zippers, buttons, dental fillings, the occasional coin, etc.

For those who somehow think that a pocket knife creates a special danger, what about the forks and knives served with food? Or a rolled up magazine, an unpadded seat armrest ripped from the seat to wield deadly force, or a third dahn martial arts black belt? Maybe karate experts should travel handcuffed and shackled.

There are potential weapons all around us. Pocketknives are rarely used as weapons—mostly because they are not very good for assault. But they are great tools for dealing with the physical world.

Banning gels and liquids was clearly a shortsighted overreaction to a dubious threat.

Even though the 2001-9-11 hijackers used mere boxcutters to cause such disaster, the problem was not the weapon. It was the mentality of the public. We have all been taught an expensive—but very valuable—lesson. Two or three ordinary people can stop a hijacker, especially if they are sufficiently motivated by believing failing to do so will cause their death.

Boxcutters and pocketknives will probably not cause any serious trouble again. Until the public forgets....

Yes it is , TSA has taken the right decision about sporting goods and pocket knives to allow the passengers to pass their goods and not to demotivate them by seize goods

the terrorist will not attack or help in attack using 4 or 5 centimeter knife even if someone got-mad or brain-washed and suddenly tried it is gonna be a failed trial , TSA administrator has stated " No threat" and i trust in him .

Moreover it will reduce overload in checkpoints in airports and save much time wasted to check the passengers and their stuff inside the bags and cartoons .

After all when all nations apply fair in the right way between each other regardless religions or colors or races or genders or any thing people are different in then no body will search for safety or precautions against weapons cause it will not be any reason for dislike or hatred

i hope i helped Mr Y!A , thank you

Have we learned nothing form 9/11?

First of all, I would like to ask, why in the world do you need a pocket knife on a plane? Are you going to go camping on the plane? Are you going to stab the chair in front of you? What do you WANT a pocket knives on a plane for? This is an open invitation to terrorists, second 9/11, here we come. We learn history to not repeat the mistakes of the past. Its been a mere 12 years since 9/11 and we're already beginning to make the same mistake as in the past.

Considering the plane is a somewhat "tight", a person with a baseball bat have a very limited area to hurt someone and can be stopped with relative ease. But on the other hand, when someone has a knife, that's another story. One does not need a large space to wield the knife and cause serious damages. While the main concern isn't on whether a 6 centimeter knife can hijack a plane, it's just a safety issue for passengers. Don't a a 6 cm knife is not dangerous, take a karambit for example, it is extremely easy for someone who's untrained and just know where to punch to slit someone's throat. So that's a no from me.

i honestly think that it's a great idea.It's about time that the TSA starts trusting us again and really what harm could having a small pocket knife on a plane do?do they actually think that 100 people are gonna die from a pocket knife come on.I mean I understand that they don't want 9 11 to happen again but maybe if they had actual police at the airport than that wouldn't have happened and i'd be able to bring my own shampoo on a plane so yeah i really do think that it would be a good idea to let us bring a pocket knife on a plane

I once cut myself with a pocket knife! They're dangerous!

But then again, I was doing that to get a wood splinter out of my palm.

Sure, a pocket knife isn't that lethal against a crowd, but hijackers usually go directly to the cockpit of the plane.

When I flew to Frankfurt, the TSA took me to an enclosure and checked the sweat of my palms because I forgot some spare change in my pocket when I went through the metal detector.

I don't think any knife should be allowed on the plane as a knife is a weapon. I would not feel comfortable knowing that the stranger beside me could have a small knife in his pocket and could pull it out whenever he wanted to.

They may not pose a direct threat to the whole plane, but they can cause damage to those around an aggravated passenger.

The biggest knife I would be comfortable with is one no larger than 2 cm (rather than their 6 cm) as those are the size included with nail clippers and don't pose as much risk.

No. It makes no sense.

I think the TSA is.... 'stupid'.....Being stupid...'is'...their problem. The junior high drop out who must be in charge of it should be fired.

Pocket knives.....'are'....weapons. Geez the 9-11 terrorists used pocket box cutting knives to hijack the planes on 9-11!!!

But this is the brand of stupidity I've come to expect from TSA....'Pat down' 3 year old toddlers and take away their stuffed animals, eyeball people with porno like xray strip machines, put your hand in a crippled wheel chair bound 90 year old woman's underpants looking for... 'bombs'...but allow knives!

I think they should allow guns too then they can just concentrate on.... viewing the attractive peoples bodies in the video xray machines, toddler pat downs and old ladies underpants/ diaper checking.....

No, I've not had a truly bad experience yet, but I've personally heard of about 100.

Why would they even think about allowing it? It isn't like people need a pocket knife on a plane. Whats the point? Why would ANYONE need to bring a pocket knife onto a carry on? It just doesn't even make sense.

But I suppose now that most airplanes have air marshals, terrorism shouldn't be a problem. But still, why even allow it?