The innovations are explained by the fact that TSA intends to pay more attention to security issues related to the detection of explosives, rather than the confiscation of cutting objects. The Department of Homeland Security, which includes TSA, believes that the threat of a terrorist attack using explosives is more priority than the threat of a terrorist attack using stabbing and cutting objects.
Simultaneously with the lifting of restrictions on carrying a number of items, TSA intends to conduct random checks of passengers' hand luggage more often. Also, the screening procedure at the boarding terminal will change from time to time so that potential terrorists do not know in advance what to expect when boarding a plane. For example, on one day passengers may be required to remove their shoes, on another - not.
According to the head of the TSA, small sharp objects do not pose a great danger to passengers and crew. However, congressmen Ed Markey and Joseph Crowley said they intend to introduce a bill in the House of Representatives that would preserve the current list of prohibited items. "TSA is effectively inviting terrorists to replace box cutters with scissors and use them as weapons," Markey said.
The congressmen are supported by airline administrations and the pilots' union. In their opinion, it is much more important to be able to anticipate passengers' intentions than to find out what is in their hand luggage.
List of items allowed in carry-on luggage (entered into force on December 22, 2005): * cigar cutters; * corkscrews and bottle openers; * manicure items, incl. cuticle nippers and nail clippers; * eyelash curlers; * knitting needles; * disposable razors; * tweezers; * scissors with a cutting edge of less than 10 centimeters; * tools up to 17.5 centimeters long, including screwdrivers, pliers and wrenches; * canes.
Prohibited from bringing on board: * ammunition; * baseball bats; * utility knives; * electric cattle prods; * firearms; * golf clubs; * hammers; * ice axes and climbing axes; * knives, except table and plastic ones; * lighters; * butcher knives; * pneumatic weapons; * razor blades; * metal scissors with sharp points and a cutting edge longer than 10 centimeters; * ski poles; * paint sprayers.