Pressure grows on US to reverse in-flight knife ruling
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is coming under increasing pressure to reverse a recent ruling that would allow passengers to carry small knives onboard planes.
The Teamsters Airline Division, which represents about 80,000 commercial aviation workers including pilots and flight attendants, has added its voice to the chorus of disapproval that has greeted the new regulations, which are due to take effect on 25 April 2013.
“Since the horrific 9/11 terror attacks, the ban on dangerous objects in the aircraft cabin has helped make our nation’s airline industry the safest in the world,” said Teamsters’ General President James P. Hoffa. “This ban has been and continues to be an integral part of our nation’s aviation security system, ensuring the safety of both passengers and crew members. We call on the TSA to reverse this decision.”
The Teamsters union is a member of the 90,000-strong Flight Attendants Union Coalition, which has created an online petition against the new ruling. It plans to present the petition to the US government.
The revised TSA regulations would allow passengers to carry knives with blades less than 6cm long, along with hockey sticks, snooker cues and other items which had been banned following the 9/11 attacks. The TSA says the new regulations will bring the US in line with international norms.