In a couple of weeks, I am taking my first plane trip in several years. I will squeeze it in before the "new" TSA regulations go into effect which allow pocket knives and other items that are lethal on the plane.
Apparently pocket knives that have been part of life as we grew up are not considered a threat. We used to play with them as kids, and the play could turn bloody quickly, and unanticipated. None of us tried to kill each other with a pocket knife, nor were we ever threatened with one. They could be sharpened with a stone, good enough to whittle, gouge holes, puncture tires, and now we are getting into some serious stuff.
What is the difference between a finely honed pocket knife, a sharp razor, or a box cutter? To a person, intent on doing harm, there is none. All of these, even when you are shaving, aimed at the throat or the jugular, pose a threat to life, to hostage taking, to bringing down an aircraft. It was not a bomb that caused the horror of 9/11, but the box cutter, that is still banned. Box cutters that were smaller than the knives TSA are proposing to allow passengers to carry in a few weeks!
I will get my flight in before lethal "weapons" often used for play are allowed on board like golf clubs, hockey sticks, whiffle bats, pool cues, etc. Where will people put all this stuff anyway. It should go into baggage.
When I travel, I like to relax. It is important to feel safe. Flight attendants try to assist with this. As the first line of defense in an emergency situation, such as dealing with an angry passenger, they will certainly have more things to worry about. Although you never know when someone is going to snap, it is better for all of us not to have access to even small or foolish weapons in a closed compartment. Some rules have been in place for a long time, and passengers have gotten used to them. Why can't the TSA just continue to say no. Have we forgotten?
To quote my son: " Never Forget? I don't think so. Seems like it only takes about 12 years for people to forget,"
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