|
|
THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING
|
AIR SECURITY Knives permitted aboard planes
By Sharon L. Crenson, Associated Press, 9/12/2001
That fact, published on the Federal Aviation Administration's Web site, probably played a role in at least three of the four hijackings that ended in disaster yesterday.
Barbara Olson, wife of US Solicitor General Theodore Olson, was on the American Airlines flight that crashed into the Pentagon. She told her husband during a cellphone call from the plane that the hijackers were using knifelike instruments.
Federal regulations state: ''FAA guidelines allow knives with blades up to 4 inches. However, state and local laws may restrict the carriage of smaller knives in a public airport. We recommend that you contact the airline to determine any additional restrictions it might apply.''
Two Associated Press journalists who travel frequently said they have dropped Swiss Army knives into plastic containers as they walked through airport metal detectors, only to pick them up afterward, and carry them aboard.
American Airlines, citing the government's ongoing investigation into four jetliner crashes, said it would be ''inappropriate'' to comment on its policies.
The airline's Web site suggests passengers check with someone before packing weapons such as ''firearms, ammunition, gunpowder, mace, tear gas, or pepperspray.'' The message does not specifically mention knives, but says items classified as dangerous goods ''may be restricted for transport by air.''
A spokeswoman for Air Canada said her company does not allow knives as carry-on property, and a former official with British Airways said the same.
British Airways often collects knives from passengers who attempt to bring them on board. The crew then stores the blades until the flight lands. The former British official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that carriers based abroad are usually more stringent about security than their domestic competitors.
While firearms are not permitted in passenger areas, some airlines do allow them to be stored in the baggage compartment.
Delta, for example, allows customers one item of ''shooting equipment'' as part of the passenger's free checked baggage.
The list of allowable weapons includes rifles, pistols, and up to 11 pounds of ammunition.
Customers checking a weapon must present it, unloaded, to a Delta employee, who is supposed to make sure it is in a locked, hard-sided, crushproof container to be stored below.
This story ran on page A5 of the Boston Globe on 9/12/2001.
|
