Hockey sticks, pocket knives and billiard cues among carry-on items TSA will soon let onboard planes

As of April 25th the Transportation Security Administration will let a bunch of previously prohibited items such as small pocket knives and what it calls "novelty" or toy bats to be taken on aircraft as carry-ons. The idea the agency said was to let Transportation Security Officers better focus their efforts on spot higher threat items such as explosives and guns (see more on that topic below).

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According to the TSA's blog, the agency's Administrator John S. Pistole adjusted the prohibited list after a review of potential risks.

The list of allowable item now includes:

• Small Pocket Knives - Small knives with non-locking blades smaller than 2.36 inches and less than 1/2 inch in width will be permitted
• Small Novelty Bats and Toy Bats
• Ski Poles
• Hockey Sticks
• Lacrosse Sticks
• Billiard Cues
• Golf Clubs (Limit Two)

The agency was quick  to note that razor blades and box cutters as well as  full-size baseball, softball and cricket bats will remain prohibited in carry-on luggage.

Meanwhile the TSA agents continue to find guns-aplenty on the traveling public.  Last week alone the agency reported finding 19 19 firearms, of which 17 were loaded and two had rounds chambered.  Two cane swords were discovered last week at New York Kennedy (JFK), and Detroit (DTW).  Seven stun guns were discovered this week in carry-on bags around the nation: two at Atlanta (ATL) and the others at Anchorage (ANC), Detroit (DTW), Fort Myers (RSW), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA).

From the TSA blog: "In an attempt to avoid declaring his firearms, a passenger at Houston (IAH) wrapped two guns in newspaper and placed them in a box of detergent powder in his checked baggage. It's permissible to travel with firearms in your checked baggage as long as you follow the proper guidelines. Placing firearms in a box of powdered detergent is not one of the guidelines."

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