OKLAHOMA CITY -
Shortly after the
TSA announced it will soon allow passengers to carry small knives on airplanes,
many passengers at Will Rogers World Airport tried brining the weapons on
board, according to the airport.
TSA employees in
Oklahoma City have seen an influx of prohibited weapons since the announcement
earlier this week. Airport officials want the public to know, you won't be
allowed to fly with even the smallest of knives until late April.
The airport wants
passengers to leave knives at home, especially with the busy spring break
season right around the corner.
"Immediately, we
saw people trying to bring their pocket knives through the checkpoints, so we
really want to remind people this isn't in effect right now," airport
spokesperson Karen Carney said.
So far, flight
attendants and air marshals have opposed relaxing the knife rules. Travelers in
Oklahoma City have mixed reviews.
"If someone is
bringing a big bat or … larger knife, I would see how that could be an issue,"
traveler Stephen Littlefield said. "A small pocket knife … it doesn't
concern me one bit."
Frequent flyer Kristina
Jackson disagrees.
"Just to see someone pass security with a lighter gets me nervous. So a pocket
knife makes it way worse," Jackson said.
Officials with the
city-operated airport are not taking a stand on the issue, only to say they
trust TSA expertise.
"We have to
believe that … when TSA makes these kinds of decisions … they've done a lot of
evaluation and determined that flying will still be safe," Carney said.
Not all pocket
knives will be given the all clear. Blades longer than 6 centimeters or wider
than 1/2 inch will not pass. Approved knives will be allowed on planes starting
April 25th.
Read the current list of prohibited items from the TSA.
TSA employees in Oklahoma City have seen an influx of prohibited weapons since the announcement earlier this week. Airport officials want the public to know, you won't be allowed to fly with even the smallest of knives until late April.
