WASHINGTON -- The
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has instituted a new
policy of conducting more random screenings at airports even as the
security agency recently approved permitting previously prohibited
items, such as small tools and scissors on board aircraft.
By incorporating
unpredictability into our procedures and eliminating low-threat
items, we can better focus our efforts on stopping individuals that
wish to do us harm, said Kip Hawley, TSA assistant secretary in a
statement.
Under the new policy,
passengers may be subject to additional screening once they clear
the metal detector. The additional passenger screenings, conducted
at random, may include a search of their person or their property
and could encompass hand-wanding of passengers, enhanced pat down
searches and inspections of carry-on bags, the TSA said.
The objective,
the TSA said, is to better detect explosives and other threats to
the aviation system.
The TSA said
scissors with a cutting edge of four inches or less and tools such
as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers smaller than seven inches are
now permitted on board. However, scissors longer than four inches
and tools such as crowbars, drills, hammers and saws will continue
to be prohibited from carry-on bags. Lighters also are still banned
from the cabin of aircraft and in checked baggage.
In other news,
the TSA re-classified its security screeners and now refers to them
as Transportation Security Officers.
To contact
reporter Michael Milligan, send e-mail to [email protected].