SANTA MARIA, Calif. - On April 25th, new security laws will touch down at airports across the nation. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration will allow small pocket knives onto planes for the first time since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Knives that don't lock and are under 2.36 inches long and less than half an inch wide will be allowed in carry-on luggage.
While passengers will be able to bring certain knives in their carry-on luggage, box cutters like the ones used by the September 11th hijackers are still not allowed.
Passengers will also be able to carry sporting equipment that is currently prohibited. Even baseball bats that fall under certain guidelines are fair game.
TSA says in a statement that "the change will allow their officers to focus more on finding higher threat items such as explosives."
But the Flight Attendants Union Coalition is outraged. In a statement, the coalition says "the proposed changes will endanger the lives of all flight attendants and passengers."
Traveler Miguel Marquez says, "it doesn't concern me as long as it's concealed or put away properly, like in your bag."
Marquez says he isn't worried about the changes, but plenty of travelers were surprised to hear the news.
Passenger Ron Koska says, "once they start allowing a short knife, where is it going to end?"
