Knives could be allowed on flights

THE US federal agency in charge of aviation security is considering major changes in how it screens airline passengers, including proposals that an official said would lift the ban on carrying razorblades and small knives as well as limit patdown searches.

The Transportation Security Administration will meet later this month to discuss the plan, which is designed to reduce checkpoint hassles for passengers. It comes after TSA’s new head, Edmund S “Kip” Hawley, called for a broad review in hopes of making airline screening more passenger-friendly.

An initial set of staff recommendations drafted on August 5 also proposes that passengers no longer have to routinely remove their shoes during security checks.