Machinists oppose knives on aircraft

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Work Day Minnesota

WASHINGTON - The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers opposes new airline safety rules that allow passengers to take small knives on commercial airline flights.

The decision by the Transportation Security Administration lifts a ban that had been in place since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“The IAM strongly opposes the newly announced relaxation of prohibited items and calls for a repeal of this change, said General Vice President Sito Pantoja. "Allowing any type of weapon on an aircraft endangers the safety of both flight attendants and the flying public. It makes no sense for the TSA to allow clubs and knives to pass through security, but not a cup of coffee."

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_5462

---

[Ian David]

1. Because they don't sell clubs & knives at the airport. They do, however, sell bottled water & coffee

[HoneychildMooseMoss]

2. Yes, and the drinks are multiples more expensive on the "secure" side of the airport

than they are in regular stores.

[Ian David]

4. Exactly. n/t

[LiberalFighter]

3. How many permissable items can be used as weapons?

[uppityperson]

6. CDs for sure. They break into shards fairly easily.

[canoeist52]

7. Eye glasses - can also be broken into shards.

[theKed]

9. If you can find ones that are actually glass

Most are plastic, these days, for cost and weight.

[MrSlayer]

13. Break off the arms and you can poke out an eye.

I always take sharp pencils on a plane with me for a weapon. No one questions pencils.

[Kennah]

14. Maybe, but it would depend upon how exactly you broke off the person's arms.

[MrSlayer]

17. Well, being an ardent fan of The Walking Dead gives me a few ideas for that.

A good compound fracture can be quite useful as a weapon.

[slackmaster]

19. You could really clobber someone with an old IBM ThinkPad

They're strong, heavy, and even have sharp corners.

[Paladin]

20. Yeah, But They Don't Have Pistol Grips, Hi-Cap Magazines, Or Flash Suppressors.

So what's the point?


(Sarcasm alert, for those in need.)

[BlueJazz]

5. I heard on the news that you can even bring a bat on board. Who came up with that ...

... ridiculous idea ??

I can just see the damn things flying all over the cabin...pissing and shitting on everybody. Great fucking idea.

[hedda_foil]

8. And lacrosse sticks and hockey sticks and golf clubs (but only 2)…

And pocket knives but not boxcutters or water or baby bottles without a serious fight with your friendly neighborhood TSA agent With priorities like that, what could possibly go wrong?

[Kennah]

15. So long as she stays in her cage, and doesn't fly around the passenger compartment, what's the harm?

[valerief]

10. What's their take on shampoo? nt

[Kennah]

16. Not to be taken internally

[Populist_Prole]

11. I see their point but I think it will just stir up more anti-union sentiment among travellers

Alas.

[AllyCat]

12. WTH??? I can't take more than 3 oz of shampoor, but I can bring a KNIFE???

What the freak is going on? In what universe is this okay?

[gadjitfreek]

18. Here's a reductio ad absurdum for ya...

How about we just simply strip and handcuff airline passengers and just stack 'em like cordwood into the plane? Would keep everyone safe!

ANYTHING could be used as a weapon. Now that people know what terrorists do it's unlikely people will ever allow it to happen again. We've given up enough for the privilege of flying.

[geek tragedy]

21. Except knives ARE weapons. nt

[hughee99]

22. They say it makes no sense, but it makes perfect sense.

If the goal is to make the flight easier to secure, sure it makes no sense, but does anyone really believe that's what the TSA is designed to do these days? It's all about keeping people in fear.