"Airport screening rules should not be weakened, says Congresswoman"

Saturday, December 3, 2005

Airport screening rules should not be weakened, says Lowey
The Mid-Hudson (NY) News


The Transportation Security Administration will soon unveil a new policy
that will allow passengers to carry small knives and other sharp objects
aboard aircraft.  Congresswoman Nita Lowey of Westchester and Rockland
counties said the TSA is "making a mistake and putting the flying public in
danger." She said passengers will still have to be adequately screened
"whether they are carrying a three inch knife or a three foot machete."
Additional examination and measurements of items could actually increase the
wait time for passengers, the lawmaker said.

Those types of items "can be turned into deadly weapons, and they can still
do great harm in the wrong hands," Lowey said.  "We should maintain our
current policies and keep these items off aircraft.  Instead of relaxing the
rules, we should strengthen screening by more vigorously searching cargo
areas and physically screening every airport worker with access to secure
areas." 

Meanwhile, Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton said they would
introduce legislation that would keep the ban in place on small sharp
objects.


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