Small Knives, Sports Equipment Allowed on Plane

For the first time since 9/11, small knives and some sports equipment will be allowed as airplane carry-on items. This sent a wave of mixed reactions throughout the traveling community of flight attendants, passengers and Transportation Security Administration officials. 

Knives with blades that are 2.36-inches (6 centimeters) or shorter and less than 1/2-inch wide may be brought on the plane. Razor blades, box cutters and knives that don't fold still aren't permitted. Novelty-sized and toy bats, billiard cues, ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks and two golf clubs have also been given the green light as permissible carry-on items.

Some have been saying that big or small, a knife is still a threat to people's safety. Others shrug their shoulders at the changes and point out that anything can be a weapon. Credit cards and toothbrushes can easily be sharpened into dangerous objects, so allowing small knives as carry-ons won't make a difference.

I'm still trying to figure out why any passenger would even need a knife on the plane? To cut a pesky loose thread or peel an apple? Several years ago, TSA changed its policies to allow small scissors on the plane. That should do the job of cutting things. The apple peeling can wait for after getting off the plane. Allowing small knives seems unnecessary to me.

Golf is huge in Hawai‘i, thanks to the premiere golf courses and resorts. But because most golfers travel with a bag of more than two clubs (which is the maximum allowed for carry-on), I'm assuming they'll still end up sending them through as checked-in luggage. 

Changes in TSA policies will take affect April 25, 2013. To see a list of objects still prohibited as carry-on items, see: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items#4

Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87

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Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: How to Hawaii

March 6th, 2013