US airlines allow small scissors onto planes

US AIRLINE passengers will be allowed to carry small scissors and tools onto planes, reversing a rule that led to confiscation of many thousands of sharp objects at airports since the September 11 terror attacks, a Homeland Security Department official said yesterday.

Transportation Security Administration chief Kip Hawley will announce changes to the list of items prohibited in carry-on luggage and to the airport screening process, according to the official.

With federal air marshals on planes, bullet-proof cockpit doors, armed pilots and 100% screening of checked baggage, the threat of a terrorist taking over an aircraft has lessened since the September 11, 2001, attacks, the official said. The biggest concern now is explosives.

Though the new list of prohibited items hasn’t been finalised, certain sharp objects won’t be on it, the official said, including scissors less than four inches long and wrenches and screwdrivers less than seven inches long.

Air Transport Association spokesman David Castelveter said the industry has been briefed on the plan and supports it.