(AP) - Small knives and sporting equipment will soon be allowed on airplanes for the first time since 2001.
The Transportation Security Administration announced the changes on Tuesday.
Knives must have blades that are 6 centimeters or shorter and less than 1/2 inch in width.
Up to two golf clubs, ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks or pool cues will also be allowed in carry-on luggage.
Toy and novelty bats will be allowed, if they measure less than 24 inches and weigh less than 24 ounces.
Such items were banned in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Flight attendents are outraged by the change in policy. However, the TSA believes the items are “unlikely to result in catastrophic destruction of an aircraft,” and policies already put in place, such as hardened cockpit doors, federal air marshals, help to reduce the likelihood of passengers breaching the cockpit.
The changes take effect April 25th and will bring the U-S into alignment with international rules.
Razor blades and box cutters are still banned.
