Transportation Safety Administration administrator John Pistole says that, effective April 25, the TSA will lift its ban on small knives in passenger cabins. Allowable knives will be limited to “retractable blades shorter than 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) and narrower than 1/2 inch at the widest point. Box cutters and razor blades, however, will still be banned. Allowing these small knives on board will align the United States with ICAO and European standards and allow screeners to focus on the highest priority threat, non-metallic explosive devices. Keychain sized knives like the Victorinox “Classic” Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman “Squirt” or “Style” multi-tools are allowed. Click here to read the the “Changes to Prohibited Items List (PIL)” and see the graphic examples of the TSA’s Approved versus Non-Approved examples.
