GaryMrMets
11-10-2005, 03:20 AM
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/story/363320p-309473c.html
Knives back on planes?
Hint at end to ban stirs opposition
BY WARREN WOODBERRY JR.
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A Queens congressman said yesterday federal legislation may be necessary to halt Transportation Security Administration plans to allow certain "prohibited" items back onto passenger jets.
After hijacked flights were used to destroy the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, box cutters and pocketknives - along with scores of other items - were banned as carry-on items on commercial flights in the U.S. However, last week reports surfaced that the TSA was considering removing such items from its restricted list.
"What that's going to do is create mass confusion with the flying public," said Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, Bronx), who joined security screeners and flight attendants at LaGuardia Airport yesterday to express concern over the reports. "Really now, what's changed since 9/11?"
Crowley said he and upstate Rep. John Sweeney, a Republican, will plan legislative action should items such as box cutters and scissors be dropped from the restricted list.
"They don't have to kill them, they could just maim them in some way," Crowley said of terrorists who would attack passengers and flight crews.
TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis said that to date, the agency has made no decisions on restricted items and would announce its amended list on Jan. 20, 2006.
"All of this is a bit premature," Davis said. "Travelers should be assured that we are continually evaluating our operating procedures to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the current threat."
Screeners believe the changes are being proposed to help speed travelers through security checkpoints during the peak travel times.
"The same weapons the terrorists used to take down the [Sept. 11] planes are the same ones they [the TSA] could let back on," said Mel Johnson, a security screener at Kennedy Airport.
New York-based flight attendants will join other Association of Flight Attendants members in Washington on Nov. 17 to lobby and demonstrate against the possible changes to the restricted items list.
"Flight attendants are outraged that the TSA would consider allowing anykind of weapon back onboard the plane," said veteran attendant Debbie Golombek. "The traveling public would probably stay away from airplanes if that was to happen."
Originally published on November 8, 2005
Knives back on planes?
Hint at end to ban stirs opposition
BY WARREN WOODBERRY JR.
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A Queens congressman said yesterday federal legislation may be necessary to halt Transportation Security Administration plans to allow certain "prohibited" items back onto passenger jets.
After hijacked flights were used to destroy the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, box cutters and pocketknives - along with scores of other items - were banned as carry-on items on commercial flights in the U.S. However, last week reports surfaced that the TSA was considering removing such items from its restricted list.
"What that's going to do is create mass confusion with the flying public," said Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, Bronx), who joined security screeners and flight attendants at LaGuardia Airport yesterday to express concern over the reports. "Really now, what's changed since 9/11?"
Crowley said he and upstate Rep. John Sweeney, a Republican, will plan legislative action should items such as box cutters and scissors be dropped from the restricted list.
"They don't have to kill them, they could just maim them in some way," Crowley said of terrorists who would attack passengers and flight crews.
TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis said that to date, the agency has made no decisions on restricted items and would announce its amended list on Jan. 20, 2006.
"All of this is a bit premature," Davis said. "Travelers should be assured that we are continually evaluating our operating procedures to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the current threat."
Screeners believe the changes are being proposed to help speed travelers through security checkpoints during the peak travel times.
"The same weapons the terrorists used to take down the [Sept. 11] planes are the same ones they [the TSA] could let back on," said Mel Johnson, a security screener at Kennedy Airport.
New York-based flight attendants will join other Association of Flight Attendants members in Washington on Nov. 17 to lobby and demonstrate against the possible changes to the restricted items list.
"Flight attendants are outraged that the TSA would consider allowing anykind of weapon back onboard the plane," said veteran attendant Debbie Golombek. "The traveling public would probably stay away from airplanes if that was to happen."
Originally published on November 8, 2005