The TSA’s odd list of Permitted & Prohibited Items
Tomorrow morning I fly out of JFK Airport in NYC for a weekend in Miami Beach. It’s the first time I’m flying since the new list of restricted items has been implemented by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration). I have to say, the list makes little sense to me.
Now I understand the possible threat that can come from the use of certain liquids and gels. I’m not surprised by, nor am I disputing, their decision to disallow things like water, toothpaste, lotions or whatever. My problem is with the items they have decided to place back on the allowed list. Items that would seem to someone like me who is not a security expert to be dangerous.
Sadly this list was made up by supposed security experts who get paid a lot of money to work on the behalf of our protection. So tell me, what possible reason could this group of experts have to allow items such as ‘scissors – metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in length’ when the hijackers on 9/11 used simple box cutters? Do you know the kind of damage a four inch blade can do? A box cutters blade is barely an inch and in most cases half.
The lunacy doesn’t stop there. Screwdrivers (seven inches or less in length), Nail Clippers, Nail Files, Cigar Cutters and the most insane of all … CORKSCREWS!! What the fuck!?!? Seriously, who has to travel with a corkscrew? Why was this consession made? Can someone tell me, please who needs a three inch spiral piece of metal with a tip as sharp as a nail on a plane? It’s not like you can open a bottle of wine in flight because bottles of wine are not allowed as carry-on!
The TSA claims that this new policy was made to help speed things along. I fail to see how disallowing one group of items while reversing the status of another group helps anything but get harmful item on to a plane. I think the process would be made easier if they simply said, “No liquids, gels or sharp metal objects of any kind are allowed in your carry on”. End of story. If you wanna bring a corkscrew buddy, then you’d better pack it in your checked luggage.
I am just so sick of the bullshit of whatever lobbyist or politician who pushed this new list thru. Just set down a blanket restriction list and people will have to deal with it. The way things are now, not only are the lines and confusion not gonna go away, but we’re on the road to another disaster.
The good news is they still allow 4 oz of KY Jelly for you Mile High Club members.
