Originally Posted by
hadila
A younger TSA lady, after taking everything out of my bag, found my tiny pencil sharpener and off she went to ask the manager, if she had to confiscate that thing. Came back with "the manager says, you can keep it only, if there is a pencil to go with it". And as, of course, I was in possession of the required object, my pencil sharpener could go back into my bag.
Just imagine the enormous threat that thing would have posed to other passengers in absence of a pencil...
hadila
I am only speculating about this but perhaps they were concerned that a dull pencil would not make a clean wound, thereby enhancing the chances of infection. Imagine the consequences of an infection in an eye socket which could ultimately impair the vision in the other eye. By deduction therefore a sharp pencil might very well be preferred by security.
I by no means want to be critical of your cynicism, but you may very well have forgotten that TSA's charge is to ensure the safety and well being of the flying public. On the basis of the above, therefore, they were acting very responsibly and in no way inconsistent with TSA's mandate.
Perhaps this perspective will be of assistance to you.