Effective tomorrow, December 22nd they are relaxing the rules on scissors and some tools. Here are some extracts from the TSA website:
"Beginning December 22, scissors with a cutting edge of four inches or less and tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers smaller than seven inches will be permitted on board. Scissors longer than four inches and tools such as crowbars, drills, hammers, and saws will continue to be prohibited from carry-on bags. Lighters will continue to be banned from the cabin of aircraft and in checked baggage."
"Changes to the Prohibited Items List
TSA is updating the prohibited items list to more effectively confront current threats to aviation. Changing the prohibited items list to allow certain high volume items that do not pose a threat enables TSOs to focus on identifying explosives.
Small Scissors are Now Permitted
Current data shows that scissors and tools make up about 25 percent of the total number of prohibited items nationwide. The number of scissors discovered at checkpoints and the time and effort dedicated to positively identifying them is disproportionate to the threat they pose. Metal scissors with pointed tips and a cutting edge four inches or less, as measured from the fulcrum, are now allowed. Metal scissors with blunt tips, plastic scissors and ostomy scissors will continue to be permitted.
Tools
From April to October, 2005, 468,033 tools were discovered at security checkpoints. Screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers and other tools, (except crowbars, drills, hammers, and saws) seven inches or less in length are now permitted. "
