TSA Considers Loosening Ban on Knives and Razorblades

By Carol Kennedy

Published on August 15, 2005

Edmund S. Kip Hawley, the new head of the TSA, has called for a review of screening procedures in an effort to ease the checkpoint process and make airline screening more passenger-friendly. The first draft of recommendations, submitted on August 5, proposed that passengers no longer remove their shoes during security checks and scissors, ice picks and bows and arrows be allowed on flights. The proposal also suggests making certain categories of passengers exempt from screening such as members of the cabinet, members of congress, federal judges, state governors and high-ranking military officials.

Some terrorism analysts say that the biggest security threat today is suicide bombers and not hijackers with scissors or knives.

It has been estimated that over 2 million passengers go through security screening each day and TSA has been struggling to keep up with the demand amid pending budget cuts. A meeting will be held at the end of this month to further discuss the issue.

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