Passengers enlisted in in-flight knife protest
Flight attendants opposing a rule that would allow passengers to carry knives onboard flights will enlist the support of passengers in the battle to overturn the ruling.
The Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions has already started a petition against the decision, and is now planning to lobby passengers to support their cause. The union, which represents 90,000 flight attendants in the US, will begin distributing leaflets at airports around the country, encouraging passengers to sign the petition. If it gathers enough signatures, the cabin crew will present the petition to the White House.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has said the rule, which would allow passengers to carry knives with blades less than 6cm long onboard flights, would put the US in line with international norms. Flight attendants however, have slammed the decision, saying it would “endanger lives”. Pilots, transport security officials and airline executives have also voiced their opposition to the ruling.
The ruling is expected to come into effect from 25 April 2013.