Sharp Objects May Be Allowed on Planes

[dwarven1]

Sharp Objects May Be Allowed on Planes

WASHINGTON - Airport security screeners are reportedly going to let passengers bring sharp objects on board airplanes again. Today's Washington Post says the Transportation Security Administration plans to announce security changes Friday.

Sources quoted by the paper say the new rules will allow things like scissors in carry-on bags. The reasoning is that such items are no longer regarded as the greatest threat to airline security.
Homeland Security Department officials are said to be more concerned about preventing suicide bomb attacks at airports. Officials want screeners to focus more on finding things that can explode rather than things that are sharp.

The Post reports the newly relaxed rules would allow scissors under four inches long tools shorter than seven inches.

TSA spokeswoman says the new initiatives will be positive for both security and customer service.

 

[Adam_MA]

I think I would have to agree with that...

You see, for the most part before 9/11 folks thought the worst thing that would happen in a hijacking situation is that their plane would go somewhere else. After 9/11 and the reality of the plane being turned into a VERY large piece of flying explosive ordnance, I doubt with a great deal of certainty that a plane full of a couple hundred folks would let ANYONE or any number of persons with nothing more than knives and box cutters take over a plane.

Not knowing what we know now...

Adam

 

[senorFrog]

I guess TSA can't walk and chew gum at the same time.

Seems absurd that they'd even consider this. Kinda like that futures market for terrorism that was proposed a while back.

 

[Weerd Beard]

Adam: I read an article in Popular Science in the late 90's about some new Zip guns that were being made (I forget where and why).

They looked like cigartte lighters, and ball-point pens, and could shoot a single 9mm round.

A question asked by the writer was if there were worried about terroist sneaking them onto planes. the Reply was somthing to the tune of: "The Zip Gun doesn't look like a real gun, and would have minimal effects at scaring people in a terroist attack".

After I found out it was just some small box cutters, I didn't agree with that line so much anymore.

But what are we to do? I can even imagine a well trained Martial Artist taking over a plane (so long as it doesn't have sky marshals onboard).

Really, bottom line is that REAL weapons (Formadable knives, guns et all) should be banned on planes, and well armed and trained security people should be the 1st line of defence, because given enugh time, the terrorists will come up with a way to circumvent all security, and many of the measures being done down are severly inconveniencing passengers for a minimal gain in security.

Just my 2c

-Weer'd Beard

 

[Adam_MA]

Well...
I don't care how well someone is trained. With a single shot zip gun, or a knife you will not be able to kill everyone on board before they give you the bums rush and stomp you into the carpet. Also there is NO WAY IN HELL that ANYONE in the planes cabin is going to unlock the new security doors for ANYONE!

Adam

 

[Nickle]

Now, before 9/11, you probably could hi-jack an airplane with a single shot weapon. But to do so now, would only mean your death or capture.

The old notion of not resisting is GONE. Most Americans will now resist, since they "have nothing to lose", as a successful hi-jacking can certainly mean death for the passengers.

And, when you a find a martial artist that can overwhelm almost all of the passengers at the same time, let me know.

Don't underestimate American willpower, even city folks will fight back, once they realize it's their only chance.

 

[senorFrog]

But what if you and the other passangers were heavily outnumbered by ROP-ers? Even with just six of them on fairly empty plane they could gain control. You'd be the one getting bum-rushed. I'm sure that flimsy door can be forced open. At least some of the pilots are now armed. It's just not a good idea to leave the door open for a repeat of 9/11.

 

[Nickle]

Let me be blunt and 100% clear.

I'd rather die fighting back than as a coward in a corner.

More and more people in this country are coming to that conclusion, or are willing to fight back.

 

[C-pher]

Let me be blunt and 100% clear.

I'd rather die fighting back than as a coward in a corner.

More and more people in this country are coming to that conclusion, or are willing to fight back.

I agree.

 

[Adam_MA]

But what if you and the other passangers were heavily outnumbered by ROP-ers? Even with just six of them on fairly empty plane they could gain control. You'd be the one getting bum-rushed. I'm sure that flimsy door can be forced open. At least some of the pilots are now armed. It's just not a good idea to leave the door open for a repeat of 9/11.

Have you seen the new doors yet... After 9/11 they were all retro-fitted with metal reinforcement and a locking mechanism. The new FAA regs also require the door be closed and locked as the plane is moved away from the gate. The pilot will not open it for fear that someone will be killed if he doesn't.

Also... If there is a mostly empty plane, and a bunch of diaper headed terrorist looking cowards boarding the plane... I think that the gate check would be used on nearly every passenger!

Me, on a plane, when someone, or a bunch of someones try to take it over... Someone is gonna die. If it's me, so the hell what, I would rather go out fighting, and I can guarandamntee you that I ain't going alone!

Adam

 

[KMaurer]

I still sort of like Vin's "Air Ganja" idea. Nobody's going to hijack any plane where all the passengers are armed. Even short of that, back before the rash of "Take this plane to Cuba" hijackings in the late 60's there were no restrictions on carrying firearms on commercial airlines. I can remember my father and his friends carrying hunting rifles in soft cases in the overhead compartmentsm and more than one of them with an openly holstered .45 on his hip. During all that time there isn't any record of a single accident or misuse of a firearm, just one or two instances of armed crew or passengers subduing a troublemaker IIRC, without any shots fired. Arm all flight crew; allow all passengers to fly armed at their option. My

Ken

 

[MrsWildweasel]

Which is why when I do fly, I check to see where they are sitting,and how many. Yes I would rather die trying that to sit there and do nothing.

 

[FPrice]

Sharp Objects May Be Allowed on Planes

I guess that means that NES members are now free to fly again since none of us are "dull" objects?

[shock]

 

[C-pher]

Sharp Objects May Be Allowed on Planes

I guess that means that NES members are now free to fly again since none of us are "dull" objects?

[shock]

Oh man...that's bad. Funny, but bad.

 

[SnakeEye]

are they gong to have half price seating on "bring your katana" day

 

[dwarven1]

are they gong to have half price seating on "bring your katana" day

Only if your name is MacLeod.

 

[MrsWildweasel]

One of my favorite shows.

 

[dwarven1]

I knew you were a lady of taste, Sue!

BTW... Where does Amanda keep that broadsword??

 

[MrsWildweasel]

Thank you Ross. Glenn says it's because of Adrian Paul. He helps,but I really like the show. [lol]

 

[dwarven1]

I like the show in spite of the character of Duncan MacLeod. My favorite characters are, in order, Methos/Peter Wingfield, Amanda/Elizabeth Gracen (My g-d, she's beautiful!) and Joe/Jim Byrne (incredible singer... I bought his album That River).

MacLeod needs to get that stick surgically removed from his butt before it grows there permanently. [roll] Just waay too much angst for me.

And just to keep this on-topic... Wonder how they got their swords onto planes after 9/11?

 

[MrsWildweasel]

Hidden of course in those long trench coats. [lol]