2008-07-11 Ask the pilot

Specs

Date:	2008-07-11
Link:	http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2008/07/11/askthepilot283/
Author:	Patrick Smith (writingscat)
Source:
Topics:	airport security US Transportation Security Administration
Categories:	airport security US Transportation Security Administration

Ask the pilot

longer text

"It's serrated." He is talking about the little row of teeth along the edge. Truth be told, the knife in question, which I've had for years, is actually smaller and less sharp than the knives currently handed out by my airline to its first- and business-class customers. You'd be hard-pressed to cut a slice of toast with it.

"Oh, come on. It is not."

"What do you call these?" He runs his finger along the minuscule serrations.

"Those ... but ... they ... it ..."

"No serrated knives. You can't take this."

"But sir, how can it not be allowed when it's the same knife they give you on the plane!"

"Those are the rules."

"That's impossible. Can I please speak to a supervisor?"

"I am the supervisor."

shorter text

“Propped up by a culture of fear, TSA has become a bureaucracy with too much power and little accountability. Where will the lunacy stop?”