The Transportation Safety Authority (TSA) in the United States is going to allow small knives on board planes for the first time since the September 11 attacks.
Effective April 25, it would allow knives with blades that are 2.36 inches (6 cm) or less in length and less than 1/2 inch (1-1/4 cm) wide.
~ Relax, quoting the TSA
Box cutters were used by the terrorists in September 11 to hijack the airplanes that flew into the world trade center in New York, ushering in a new age of heightened airline security, among other homeland security initiatives.
The article cites air marshalls, some armed pilots and stronger cabin doors as the reason the TSA decided to allow these knives back on airplanes.
The motion was not well received by the flight attendants union however, as they still feared that allowing knives on board a plane could put them and passengers at risk. Yet, a trained martial artist could create as much havoc with a pen, cutlery or other instruments already allowed on a plane. If the terrorists were diligent enough to have pilots learn to fly a plane, surely they could train a fighting force in using pens, forks and other objects in combat.
Perhaps, the flight attendants should take a page from Hong Kong airlines’ playbook and learn wing chun kung fu.
As a backpacker, there are times I wish I could carry a swiss pocket knife with me. Scissors, pliers and screwdrivers are essential tools when travelling on a budget, as sometimes you need to do a little bit of DIY in places to make things work.
Unfortunately, as I often only pack carry on luggage to save cost, these instruments cannot travel along with me.