Knives, yes! Knives, no! Knives, maybe?

Washington Post: A sharp question for the TSA

And now the chatter is that the TSA may decide to put the new rules into effect over the Memorial Day weekend. The agency had asked for public comments on the changes, with that input due by May 22, we understand. We’ve been told TSA officials are planning to brief folks on the Hill the next day. The Memorial Day weekend begins May 24. TSA did not respond to an inquiry on whether or when the new rules would be put into effect.​

The article answers another question I was wondering about:

We’re told the TSA wants the rule changes, which were to take effect April 25, to put the United States in line with the rules in European countries.​

This change apparently just complies with prevalent international practices elsewhere.

 

I have been on record as supporting this decision since it came out. It seems that this particular political football is hotter than originally thought though. I truly dislike how so many of the groups filking the lawsuit try to portray that they represent the *entire* workforce. Most people I work with seem to be ok with the change. It never ceases to amaze me that so many people do not understand the fact that there are so many other items already airside that can be used as a better weapon than a 2" and change pocket knife. The whole argument seems silly to me, but I am a bit biased due to the fact that I have carried a knife in my pocket since I was about 5 years old (and still do, with the exception of when I am working).

 

Well, hey. You've done such an excellent job on getting everyone in the TSA to recognize that travelers are human beings and not all terrorists that maybe they'll pay attention to your opinion on this topic as well.

But I really doubt it. For all of your efforts to "improve from the inside," the TSA is still an organization staffed entirely with thugs, thieves and idiots. And you don't seem like an idiot.

 

So let me get this straight you see the small locking blade knife i have carried in my pocket since I was 12, and the boot knives as long as i have been in EMS are a threat... yet you will give me a knife and multiple glass objects with my meal in first class... Now that a special type of stupid gone full retard... you never go full retard!

Again its all a theater act. Everyone knows that since the cockpit doors are hardened and crew and passengers will not cooperate, and lets not forget anyone steeping out of line on an airplane since 9/11 has has the beaten out of them.

 

But if those people didn't go "full retard" and get a "job" with the TSA, where else could they go for a paycheck?

 

garbage collector, janitor, stall mucker, plenty of unskilled labor jobs out there... just none that allow a power trip though.

 

All of those are real jobs that require something that the TSA actively selects against - motivation.