After the TSA's decision to allow small knives and other weapons on board planes, air marshals and flight attendants are outraged over the decision and are planning to ask the TSA to reconsider their decision.
Many are concerned that the Transportation Security Administration has forgotten about the terrorist attacks that took place in 2001.
"It's as if we didn't learn anything from 9/11," George Randall Taylor, head of the air marshal unit of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) told CNN. "Flight attendants are going to be sitting ducks."
John Pistole of the TSA announced on Tuesday that they will allow pocketknives and certain sporting equipment which were banned after 9/11, on board planes starting April 25.
Knives with blades is no longer than 2.36 inches (6 centimeters) and no more than 1/2 inch at its widest point will be allowed. Sporting equipment such as bring billiard cues, ski poles, hockey and lacrosse sticks and a maximum of two golf clubs are also allowed to be carried on under the new policy.
The TSA believes that due to stronger cockpit doors and better intelligence, banning these items is no longer necessary. The decision was made so that the TSA can focus more on higher-risk items such as explosives.
However Taylor and other air marshals are very angry over the decision. "I've received probably over a hundred (calls from air marshals). They're very upset," Taylor told CNN about the air marshals.
FLEOA President Jon Adler said the decision goes even beyond the concern of the air marshals. "Pistole's decision is putting my guys at greater risk. It's not just the (Federal Air Marshal Service), it's all of my guys," he said.
The Flight Attendant Union is also upset with the new policy.
"Continued prohibition of these items is an integral layer in making our aviation system secure and must remain in place," the Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions said in a statement.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
