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Following a letter Rep. Tom Reed and fellow Members of Congress sent to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Administrator John Pistole, the Administration announced this week it will halt its policy allowing knives on planes.

“Prohibiting dangerous items on planes like knives is a common sense safety measure,” Reed said. “The TSA’s announcement this week it will halt its proposed policy is a win for public safety. If a policy places our citizens’ safety at risk, it is a policy that must be addressed.”

Reed was joined by more than 130 bipartisan Members of Congress on the letter, expressing serious concern that allowing passengers to carry knives on commercial flights puts public safety at risk. “September 11, 2001 proved we cannot relax aviation security and we cannot be sending the message that carrying dangerous items on an airline cabin is acceptable.”   

According to a TSA spokesperson, the delay is meant to allow for more input. Reed said the Administration has already received overwhelming input that its proposed policy is a danger to passengers and crew members and will likely hear more. “The TSA heard from pilots, flight attendants, and passengers that they want to feel safe while flying,” Reed continued. “Stakeholders are likely to continue their advocacy on behalf of public safety now that the delay has been announced. This is a step in the right direction in maintaining safe skies.”

The proposal was originally slated to go into effect this week.

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