Quad Citians Talk TSA Changes - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Quad Citians Talk TSA Changes

By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com

Many previously banned items, like golf clubs, hockey sticks and even certain knives will soon be fair game thanks to new Transportation Security Administration changes.

"This is basically like a key chain one, these are both under the 6cm that they are requesting you to have," said one Rock Island hardware store employee.

He showed us exactly which kinds of knives are allowed in your carry on.

He said the pocket knives the TSA is allowing, are usually carried around for a harmless purpose.

"Mostly people carry these to open envelopes, things like that, clean your fingernails," he said.

In a statement released today, the TSA said they made the changes to be on more level playing field with international aviation standards.

They also said letting small knives through will let TSA officers to better focus on finding higher threat items.

We spoke to folks at the Quad City International Airport, and the most agreed with the changes.

"It wouldn't bother me at all," said Lorin Daniels of DeWitt.

"Most men carry like, a real small pocket knife, the big ones just seem to be more dangerous, I guess, than a small pocket knife," said Myra Healy of Birmingham, Alabama.

One Fulton man who travels internationally multiple times a year said it's about time the U.S. caught up with the rest of the world.

"When you travel to one country you'll have something checked then you'll land in the U.S., you'll try to put it through security, and they'll say oh no you're not allowed to do that," said Len Wright of Fulton.

But another local man thinks it's a bad idea.

"I think it's stupid," said Wayne Blank.

Blank said a knife, is a knife.

"I've got pocket knives and they're dangerous.  They can be dangerous," he said.

The new changes go into effect April 25th.