Pointed metal scissors!

I have to admit that I am just chagrined to know that after almost 2 years as an agency that there are some TSA checkpoints that still don't understand the SOP. The SOP specifically describes pointed metal scissors as prohibited. Blunt tipped, round tipped or otherwise non-pointed scissors are permitted to be taken aboard aircraft. The problem is that many blunt tipped scissors appear to look like pointed scissors on the x-ray screen, resulting in physical searches of those bags. The scissors with the rounded ends are an easy call; however, there are some scissors that aren't quite pointed but don't have the rounded tips neither. In most cases, I'll make the judgement call to allow them through the checkpoint, but I'll take the extra time to explain to a passenger that the scissors fall within a gray area which may be subject to a tighter interpretation by another supervisor at a different airport/checkpoint. I usually advise them to put them in their carry-on baggage the next time they travel to avoid any hassle. Kids' school scissors, as a general rule, are permitted. Their design alone, intended so that children can use them safely, should be a clue.

As for enforcing policies I don't agree with; that's life in every profession or line of work. I don't agree with all the policies TSA enforces; and I use whatever latitude the SOP allows to apply common sense. Personally, I think scissors and knives with blades less than 3 inches are harmless. A simple ball point pen, in the hands of a trained martial artist, can be a lethal weapon. So where do we draw the line?

I think risk management should take precedence over risk avoidance. Allowing small scissors and small pocketknives, including money clips with small blades, in my humble opinion, are an acceptable risk. However, I am employed as a screener who enforces policy and not as a high level staff puke who makes policy. I get paid to do a job, and I will continue to do so. If whoever made the comment about people joining TSA because they agree with its policies is really serious about that rationale, then let me ask you this: do you, as an employer, expect your employees to agree with your policies? or do you pay them to do their jobs?

I am confident that small scissors and small pocketknives will eventually be taken off the prohibited items list. The prohibited items list has changed over time, and mostly as the result of customer feedback. Cigar cutters used to prohibited as well as cork screws, flasks and nail files. They are permitted items today. But then again, a real frequent flyer would know this.