A step in the right direction

Of course I didn’t expect they would go all the way in one step.  I’m actually surprised they would even go in the right direction.  But they are making progress and everyone benefits:

TSA Would Allow Sharp Objects on Airliners

Screeners to Focus More on Bombs

A new plan by the Transportation Security Administration would allow airline passengers to bring scissors and other sharp objects in their carry-on bags because the items no longer pose the greatest threat to airline security, according to sources familiar with the plans.

In a series of briefings this week, TSA Director Edmund S. “Kip” Hawley told aviation industry leaders that he plans to announce changes at airport security checkpoints that would allow scissors less than four inches long and tools, such as screwdrivers, less than seven inches long, according to people familiar with the TSA’s plans. These people spoke on condition of anonymity because the TSA intends to make the plans public Friday.

The TSA’s internal studies show that carry-on-item screeners spend half of their screening time searching for cigarette lighters, a recently banned item, and that they open 1 out of every 4 bags to remove a pair of scissors, according to sources briefed by the agency. Officials believe that other security measures now in place, such as hardened cockpit doors, would prevent a terrorist from commandeering an aircraft with box cutters or scissors.

What’s interesting to me is that they concluded the same thing as I did–explosives is the real threat and the most attention should be given to that.  We should do the research, as I outlined, and go wherever the results take us.  One step at a time if necessary, but we need to do it. 

It’s interesting they dropped the plan for putting more air marshals in the air because it’s too costly.  Check out my research outline for lower cost alternatives to achieve similar protection capabilities.

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