I was eating at an Outback Steak (House) located within the secure zone of a U.S. airport the other day when I suddenly realized I was cutting into my steak using a real steak knife - stainless steel, sharp serrated edges, the works. While I would be a little more concerned about some of the kitchen implements (like the bloomin onion device), I was still surprised to see a steak knife.

Did this just slip by the TSA or do you think there is a mechanism to inventory these weapons of mass hysteria should a diner with evil intentions slip one onto a plane?

Shh, don't speak too loudly or those unobservant, stupid terrorists may find the loophole you've discovered

This is yet another one of the reasons many of us characterize the current security setup as being "ineffective" on many levels. Yes, it (usually) stops guns and knives from getting through, and hopefully stops explosives ... but there are so many easy-to-improvise weapons available just on the other side of the checkpoint that it's almost as if they weren't there, or are trying to bail water with a sieve.

This reminds me of the "security" in my NYC Financial District office building. There is the nefarious x-ray machine in the lobby and all handbags and backpacks absolutely must be x-rayed. Any shopping bags containing food - or more specifically, having a foodstore logo-doesn't get x-rayed. So, if you want to carry that weapon into this building, just put it into a Dunkin'Donuts bag.

C'mon, seriously -- with a locked down cockpit door, what exactly do you expect a terrorist with a knife could do on an airplane he couldn't do on the ground anyway?

This really interests me. Typically - restaurants past security serve foods that don't need a *real* knife. I know I haven't seen any real knives past security yet.

Is Outback breaking the rules? Or did they change? I'd be surprised if they used metal knives and didn't get in trouble as I'm sure some of the TSAers have eaten there.

Last month on AF returning CDG-ORD in coach, we were served a meal with metal silverware. The knife had a 2-1/2" rounded blade. A ball point pen would be a more versatile weapon, or a metal strip peeled off of a rollaboard, but still, it was beyond what TSA would allow.

I suspect it was just AF's way of saying what they think of TSA rules. Or else they simply did it because it was much easier to eat and enjoy the meal with a real fork/spoon/knife. The French certainly put the pleasure of a good meal above illusions of security.

As has been reported in other threads around this Forum, many of the international airlines have resumed using metal cutlery on their flights to/from the US. I know we got the real stuff on a pair of AF flights last Fall.
I think...but am not sure...that ALL airlines flying to/from the US shortly after 9/11 had to sub plastic cutlery. This has obviously been relaxed as the reports coming in from VS, BA, AF and others indicate metal cutlery.
Not sure when this changed, who it affects or why we're not seeing reports of US carriers using metal cutlery, at least in First/Business.
Maybe someone can shed some light on this?

I think one of the countries that hasn't fully permitted metal cultery on flights to/from the country is Great Britain.

What airport was this? Maybe they should start putting metal detectors at the gate.

This has been going on for some time at certain restaurants ... Outback has had them IME at a number of airports. I don't know if they are watching to make sure you return your knife (and will cause a terminal dump if you manage to abscond with one )... but more importantly, the kitchens have even bigger and sharper knives, so all a would-be terrorist would need to do is get a guy hired there, or bribe or befriend someone there.

One enormous hole in the TSA/airport security system (how about using the abbreviation "..." ) that is apparently less important to the powers-that-be than making sure passengers' shoes and feet are thoroughly screened. But Ma and Pa Kettle would not see security measures that do not affect passengers. Kabuki security.

The short answer is that the vendor at the concourse is supposed to have an inventory and accounting of all the things that they have to have in order to conduct business. They are audited occassionally to see if they are keeping their stuff secure.

This is not a unique case. Back to July 2002 I recall being in JFK in a restaurant and being served with a "real" knife and at the time thought how stupid all my time in security was. Pretty much now any airport restuarant you go to that is above "fast food"/Convenience food class has real metal knives.

Personally I think security should take place at the gate when you board not way back at ticketing. This would allow people to wait for the plane at the gate with folks leaving, would allow you to meet people at the gate, it would help the shops and restaurants in airports who are now seeing a TON less business than before 9/11 because non-flyers arent allowed past security to get to them and it would also be better protection. there are a zillion things between security and the gate one can buy or find that would not make it through screening.

"Audited occasionally", huh? How often? I guess that is SSI. Very comforting to us passengers.

However, knives should not be a major concern now. As long as flight crew follows SOP, terrorist(s) would not gain control of airplane. Several people may be injured or killed, but passengers would not allow even a few terrorists armed with only knives to do any more than kill those within arms' reach. No problem except for those unlucky few within arms reach.

The words "audited occasionally" are real comforting. The weapon is used on July 8th, but they passed the audit on June 10th! That would go over real well should something ever happen.

More proof that what we go through for "security" is just a show.