TSA Changes Flying Rules

New rules coming from the Travel Safety Administration when it comes to flying. Soon small knives and some sporting equipment will be allowed on board. The TSA says the items are not a security threat.

Beginning April 25th airline passengers will be able to carry small pocket knives with a blade less than 6-centimeters on board the plane. Some sporting equipment including hockey sticks, ski poles, even golf clubs will be allowed inside the cabin.

"I think it's ridiculous. They make you stick all of your fluids in a little bag this big, but you can bring a knife that you can hold up to somebody's neck? That's craziness as far as I'm concerned," said Tammy Douglass, Ontario.

"I think if that's kind of your goal in the first place, you can get around that system already, with what you can already bring on a plane. If you can bring on razors and your goal is to kill somebody, I think you already have that capability," said Shawn Scanlon, Detroit, Michigan.

The TSA says the move does not pose a security threat. It says the rule will allow U.S. planes to now conform to international standards that already permit such objects on board.  Flight attendants are calling the ruling "short-sighted," even "dangerous."

I just don't know why we would go back to something that we have already identified as costing thousands of people's lives," said Rob Baker, Detroit, Michigan.

Rochester's airport director says the airport will do what it can to support and communicate the decision.

"Obviously the experts assess risk and do vulnerability assessments. But once again, I think it's the airport's role to communicate what the rules are to the traveling public," said Mike Giardino, Rochester Airport Director.

Proponents of the move say time saved by searching for small pocket knives will allow TSA workers to scan for more serious threats including bombs and toxins.