TSA baby-steps it towards more rational policy concerning knives on planes

J

Jesse B.

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Oct 23, 2009
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Read here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-05/tsa-will-permit-knives-golf-clubs-on-u-s-planes.html

I know most of us here would prefer for them to have gone further, but anything beyond "zero tolerance" is a plus in my book. Starting April 25th, 2013, non-locking knives (without "molded" handles) with blades shorter than 2.4 inches and not wider than 1/2 inch will be permitted. The only knives I can think of with those characteristics are some Swiss Army knives and micro/mini Leatherman-type multitools. Kind of shocking to see a government security agency display indications of critical thinking and common sense.
 
What the heck are molded handles. SAK's have plastic handles that are made in a mold. I wish good luck to those going past TSA agents with agendas. But, perhaps, a good start, as you say.
 
I was just about to post this, I will be doing more research on the subject, this is a good thing I think, in just surprised they are using common sense

Now I just need to get a complain knife lol

And in thinking the molded handles thing is stuff like the spyderco slip joint, but don't quote me on that because I am not sure
 
Jesse B. said:
Read here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-05/tsa-will-permit-knives-golf-clubs-on-u-s-planes.html

I know most of us here would prefer for them to have gone further, but anything beyond "zero tolerance" is a plus in my book. Starting April 25th, 2013, non-locking knives (without "molded" handles) with blades shorter than 2.4 inches and not wider than 1/2 inch will be permitted. The only knives I can think of with those characteristics are some Swiss Army knives and micro/mini Leatherman-type multitools. Kind of shocking to see a government security agency display indications of critical thinking and common sense.
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I just saw this on drudge and thought the same thing. Great to see an inkling of rationality on behalf of the TSA, though you may have also seen the story mentioning that despite threats of TSA furloughs due to sequester, they went ahead with the $50M new uniform contract....but that's a story for another place.

I wonder how they'll define "molded" handles.
 
redrover66 said:
What the heck are molded handles. SAK's have plastic handles that are made in a mold. I wish good luck to those going past TSA agents with agendas. But, perhaps, a good start, as you say.
Click to expand...

It's the same jargon that makes an assisted opening knife the same as a full blown automatic I would guess.
 
Should be a bunch of traditional slip joint folders that fit that bill. Those of us in Chicago are already used to looking at sub 2.5" blades anyway. :/

My guess is "molded handles" is meant to refer to contouring and other shaping for more grip, rather than a simple straight handle, or jigged bone or wood. But how that is implemented will mean more than what the words say.
 
If the policy is vague, it leaves a lot left to interpretation by the TSA and its employees. I wouldn't take a knife with me to a screening area if it was one I didn't want seized. Hopefully the policy is more exact in what is acceptable to travel with.
 
I don't think it's got anything to do with rationality or common sense.

I think that it has more to do with this
Overseas passengers will no longer have to check the qualifying knives as they pass through the U.S.
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Perhaps international pressure on domestic airlines.
 
Starting April 25th you can carry on a knife. Thats the good news.
The bad news is that the blade can be no longer that 2.4 inches and no wider than .5 inches.
Funny thing is that boxcutters are still prohibited. Now the taskis to find a knife to meet the
requirements. Sorrry if this is a dupe.
 
The half an inch wide part is what makes it hard :( Thats going to rule out most stuff except little pen knives.
 
Those are, without a doubt, the most ridiculous, senseless, and ineffective knife regulations I've ever seen.

But I guess it makes sense. Because 2.36 inch blades are safe, but we all know what happens when you use a 2.37 inch blade......

Seriously though 2.36 and "molded" grips? Let's ban pencils too.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I just emailed Jeff Plungis, the reporter on this story, and asked about that term.
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Thanks for following up; it'll be interesting to hear what he's got to say.

My guess is the term's intent is to cover what was described above:
liamstrain said:
My guess is "molded handles" is meant to refer to contouring and other shaping for more grip, rather than a simple straight handle, or jigged bone or wood.
Click to expand...

I'd also guess that it won't matter because the TSA has proven itself to be be inconsistent with application and interpretation of its own rules.
 
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