A few months ago, the TSA — perhaps by accident — proposed a sensible change in policy whereby small knives (think Swiss Army Knives) could be carried on planes. This makes good sense because (1) being able to hijack a plane using small knives required an extraordinary degree of passivity on the part of the passengers and crew, which won’t be the case post-9/11, and (2) actual terrorists and criminals will have no difficulty smuggling knives through security anyway.
Naturally, the TSA is reversing itself:
The Transportation Security Administration has abandoned a plan to let passengers carry small knives on planes, following a steady outcry from lawmakers and industry advocates.
Security theater.
UPDATE (7/13): Asiana flight 214 shows the potential cost of the no-knives policy. It’s not just a matter of convenience.
Internet Scofflaw 