New US ruling keeps knives off planes
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Aviation authorities in the US have reversed a controversial decision that would have allowed passengers to carry small knives onboard aircraft.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced this week that airport security officers will continue to enforce the current list of prohibited items, which forbids passengers from carrying knives. A revised set of regulations released earlier this year would have permitted passengers to carry knives with blades less than 6cm long, along with other potentially dangerous items such as snooker cues and hockey sticks.
This was met with fierce opposition from cabin crew however, who have since been petitioning passengers at airports across the US, aiming to get enough signatures to lodge a formal protest with the government. And following the TSA’s latest announcement, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) has claimed victory.
“We commend the efforts of TSA Administrator John Pistole to review the feedback of stakeholders who are on the front lines of aviation,” the 60,000-member association said in a statement. “Members of AFA have for decades made the decision to direct resources of the union to promote a strong voice for aviation safety, health and security. The outcome of this work means passengers and crew are safer today.”
As well as the flight attendants, passenger groups and several high profile aviation figures, including airline CEOs and airport security experts, stated their opposition to the revised regulations. The TSA originally agreed to delay the implementation of the new rules, but following the AFA’s vocal and high-profile campaign, the decision to allow knives onboard planes has been reversed. But the AFA is now pushing for formal legislation to enforce the U-turn.
“There is no opposition. TSA agrees. It is time for Congress to act on this legislation for a permanent ban on knives. This is a bipartisan issue that is supported by the vast majority of Americans. It’s about our security and it’s time: no knives, ever again,” the AFA said.
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