comScore
Weird Wednesday, March 6th 2013 at 2:55 pm

TSA to Allow Knives on Planes, But Leave Your Broadsword at Home

By ( ) Comments

For the first time since September 11, 2001, the Transportation Security Administration is relaxing its guidelines on what items are, and are not allowed on planes. Knives whose blades fall within a very limited range will be allowed to be carried onto planes, as well as some other previously banned items. Don’t worry too much, though. Bottled water? Still banned!

In a document titled “Changes to Prohibited Items List (PIL)” the TSA sad that it “continues to evolve and strengthen its multi-layered approach to aviation security.” That “multi-layered approach” somehow includes letting small knives on planes, while continuing to stop me from bringing on a bottle of water, but okay, sure.

Knives with blades longer than six centimeters, or 2.36 inches, or that are wider than half an inch are still banned, but blade size isn’t the only restriction to what knives do or do not make the cut. The blade, regardless of size, cannot lock into place, and the handle cannot be molded. What do they mean by molded? Don’t worry, they don’t specify whatsoever besides showing you these pictures of some knives you can’t have on a plane:

Knives aren’t the only thing allowed back on planes. Certain pieces of sporting equipment will also be allowed to be brought on board. These include small novelty bats, golf clubs (limited to 2), ski poles, pool cues, lacrosse sticks, and hockey sticks. You can’t bring liquids on the plane, but if you show up in your full Casey Jones Halloween costume, nobody’s going to bat an eyelash.

These new guidelines go into effect on April 25th of this year, and despite the relaxed restrictions on small knives, all razor blades and box cutters are still banned from being brought on board, and probably will be forever.

TSA, any word on when your “evolving” policies will let me bring a bottle of water with me onto a plane? I need you to keep my throat safe from thirst.

(Transportation Security Administration via The Verge)

Relevant to your interests

Filed Under | • • •
  • Nick

    Who is this idiot writer acting like we’re being oppressed because it’s taken “OMG SO LONG!!!” to allow KNIVES on a plane? Like it’s been an unreasonable and gigantic breach of freedom that we can’t have water on plane while companies research to keep us as safe as possible on planes. Not to mention nothing in this post even threatened to make me smile, let alone laugh. Didn’t realize you were so attached to your fixed-blade whittling knife, Glen.

  • Nick

    Your disenchantment with visual explanations seems a bit misplaced considering your goals in writing—to notify and apply humor—are so bad.

  • http://www.facebook.com/james.casteel.35 James Casteel

    aaand no one cares what you have to say.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=757055616 Charlie MacSteven

    You can bring bottled water on a plane. You just have to buy it after you pass through security.

  • Enthusiast

    What’s the deal with the molded handle? I can get the length restrictions… the rest of them are a bit silly, but I can see how someone would see a wide, fixed/locking blade as more dangerous… I don’t, but someone… But the molded handle makes it more dangerous?

  • Anonymous

    Where do some of these dildoes come from that just fly out of nowhere to troll the writers at websites… So annoying.

  • the_silence

    Or take an empty bottle through security, and fill it up afterward.

  • Anonymous

    What if I had those things, but had them packed away in my other luggage? You know, the ones that get checked through and stowed on the aircraft before I board(ed) it?