American Airlines is the latest to join many groups in fighting the Transportation Safety Administration on their new policy to allow small knives and other previously banned items on board planes.
Will Ris, American's SVP of government and regulatory affairs, wrote a letter to TSA administrator John Pistole, voicing his concern over the new policy and asking the group to reconsider.
According to the Dallas News, the letter reads:
"We agree that it is important for the TSA to regularly revisit its rules and regulations, and fully support its frequent review of what is in the best interest of the flying public. The TSA's guidelines are crucial to the safety of our crews and customers, and we have - and will - adhere fully to its policies.
However, American feels that those guidelines are often most beneficial when we collectively discuss and review any proposed alterations that will affect our crewmembers and customers. In this particular case, we believe input from airlines, as well as the men and women who fly and serve the aircraft, would have been valuable to help determine the most useful and appropriate revisions.
The safety of our people and our customers is paramount and we will continue to support policies that keep the airspace safe, and allow customers to move through the screening and security process as quickly and safely as possible. But we encourage the TSA to reassess its proposed revisions to the prohibited items list, scheduled to take effect April 25, to ensure that any and all changes have been thoroughly reviewed and vetted."
Ris and American Airlines aren't the only ones against the TSA's policy. Last week, Delta Air Line CEO also expressed his concern over the ruling and asked the TSA to reconsider. Flight attendant and air marshal groups are also against the idea of allowing pocket knives and things like golf clubs and wiffle bats on board.
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