Airport Restaurant Knife Issue: Ridiculous or no?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I was reading this article here:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-k ... story.html" target="_blank

Basically, this airport restaurant that was on the upscale side was handing out steel steak knives to patrons/customers to cut their steak with; and this was after the people had gone through security screening. It lead to a big uproar over possible security risks, people with the knives, claiming someone can order a meal at the restaurant, and pocket the steak knife, and use it as a weapon.

The restaurant replaced their steel steak knife with a BUTTER KNIFE, to eat steaks with. Now, do you all think that was a reasonable security measure, or, unnecessary and overboard?

some text from the article:

" Airport officials and fliers welcomed the upscale eatery as a departure from the more typical grab-and-go offerings. There was just one hitch: The restaurant handed out serrated steel knives to passengers who had already passed screening checkpoints before boarding a plane."

" A similar problem came to a head last week at John F. Kennedy Airport, where reporters for Newsday and News 12 Long Island showed how easy it was to walk off with 5-inch steak knives from two JFK steakhouses."

" Unions representing TSA officers and flight attendants lashed out at airport officials and others after learning how easy it was to pilfer the knives from restaurants.

“I’m appalled at this flagrant violation of airport security,” said David Cox, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents TSA workers."

Here is another interesting story: TSA sees a surge in CREDIT CARD KNIVES

http://www.latimes.com/business/travel/ ... story.html" target="_blank

" The TSA is now seeing a surge in a new, harder-to-detect weapon: credit card knives.

The weapon looks like a thick credit card but becomes a knife with a steel blade once the blade is folded out. The remaining section of the card snaps together in the shape of a handle."

" The knives are sold online for $4 to $15 from various retailers. Iain Sinclair, a British manufacturer of one of the most popular devices, describes them as “lightweight surgical knives” that can cut through seat belts in case of emergency. The company could not be reached for comment."


Alright, so here is my other question, everyone:

Do you consider the all-out ban on all knives, even personal trimmers and bottle opener knives that have tiny 1-2 inch blades, to be reasonable, in light of what happened on 9/11, when terrorists used boxcutters, or, is there some room for compromise, where people should be allowed to carry certain kinds of knives?

Honestly, I tend to lean more on the side of personal freedom on these matters, and wish we could at least carry small pocket knives with blades under 4 inches, at least, onboard the planes, for personal use and just to make one self feel better. But some people I've spoken with have the "I'd rather be safe than sorry even if it means sacrificing some personal freedom." idea and like the new anti knife policies.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Here is a related issue that happened: I was with someone and we visited a place that tourists like to frequent, a national landmark type of thing. The person I was with had a Leatherman Micra, which as many here likely know, is one of their mini-tools, smaller than the standard Leatherman mutitools. Anyhow, the person had forgotten it was on their keychain, and when we went through the security check, it was seen, and, the security people made a big deal of it. They had two or three others come over and inspect it, and I said "look, level with me here. This is not a weapon, its a KEYCHAIN tool, noone could use this to damage masses of people, why not let it slide?" I said this politely but straight forwardly and the security people were not mean but said that is their policy and one of them told me someone could use the tools on it to damage the place."

Finally, they had the Micra put in a bag, checked with a number, so that when we returned to the security desk we could pick it up. At least that is a more reasonable policy than confiscating it.

[The Deacon]

I'd agree with the TSA workers. Given that the current world climate, it makes no sense to allow terrorists to acquire a weapon once past an airport's security checkpoint.

The Leatherman Micra incident that you speak of is a harder call. Sounds like they were more concerned about vandalism than mayhem, so its reasonableness would depend on whether they allowed folks carrying pens, magic markers, keys, etc. to enter unimpeded.

[phillipsted]

I'm sorry, but calling those serrated paint scrapers that Steak Houses call "knives" is a real stretch. :)

TedP

[StuntZombie]

Bah, any steak worth eating shouldn't require a knife anyway.

[remnar]

Absolutely ridiculous! If they're going to serve steak in a secure area, then you should be issued someone that has passed a background check to cut the steak for you. Someone that is not flying and someone that can be trusted not to give up the knife to a passenger. :D

[3rdGenRigger]

Or just make sure that no one leaves the restaurant with any restaurant property.

As to the knife situation...I understand the concerns of airport security, but I don't see how a knife like a 1.5-2" non-locking blade would pose any threat to a group of people, and I'd like to be able to carry such a knife through airports like my older relatives used to. Some of my relatives (Before 9-11) carried locking bladed Spydercos with blades longer than 2.5" through airports without issue, and I don't see it as being a major security threat (As none of my relatives saw fit to go on some crazy killing rampage just because they possessed a knife), but we do live in "Interesting" times currently.

[The Deacon]

Or just make sure that no one leaves the restaurant with any restaurant property.

Great in theory. Would probably keep honest but insecure folks from copping one for protection, but given the even the US military has failed to notice a few terrorists on their payroll, who knows where the loyalties of every restaurant employee lie.

Frankly I think we'd be better off if everyone was allowed to carry knives on planes. It would just increase the odds of decent folks being able to thwart terrorists. But we all know that's not going to happen.

[Skidoosh]

I was at LAX (worst airport in the world) getting a coffee and looked over at a ground crew guy who was waiting for a coffee order. He had a leatherman in one of his pockets and past security. It just get ridiculous at some point.

[Blerv]

I treat the airport like an alternate reality where you are thankful when gravity is functioning in a familiar way. I don't even say "knife" let alone worry about cutlery options.

My personal jam is usually a plate of nachos or a pizza. IMHO, any steak at the airport is either going to disappoint or bankrupt ya :p.

[jackknifeh]

First, I think that if the rule is NO KNIVES can go through security there shouldn't be a way to get one after going through the scanners, shoe inspection, strip searches, etc. :) I've been trying to think of a time I've been in an airport and even seen a restaurant on the other side of a security check point. I suppose there are though. And if I was in an airport where there was one (or lots) I probably wouldn't have thought about it. Even if I ate a meal requiring a knife. But if I did and I was handed a butter knife I definitely would remember that. I get a little mad when the knife I get is dull.

The whole thing is screwed up to begin with if you ask me. We do need all these security measures to TRY catch the bad guys and DEFINITELY inconvenience the good guys. There is only one real answer and that is to change the nature of mankind. Since that won't happen some things will continue to be screwed up. Whatcha gonna do?

Jack

[Monocrom]

All the patrons had already gone through checkpoints. Here's a better idea.... clean off the table as soon as a patron leaves. Check that the steak knife is still there. Done!

****, whenever I fly, I carry a certain non-tactical pen that makes for one helluva improvised ice-pick. I always carry a good self-defense tool on me. My pen has not once raised an eye-brow.

[jackknifeh]

All the patrons had already gone through checkpoints. Here's a better idea.... clean off the table as soon as a patron leaves. Check that the steak knife is still there. Done!

****, whenever I fly, I carry a certain non-tactical pen that makes for one helluva improvised ice-pick. I always carry a good self-defense tool on me. My pen has not once raised an eye-brow.

I thought about that too. But the servers at restaurants probably aren't going to wrestle a customer to the floor when they can't find the knife. :) Might reduce the tip a bit. :D

Pens don't always work. I taped a Bic to the barrel of my shotgun. They told me I couldn't bring the pen on board. :mad: :)

[willc]

The restaurants should just do what banks do with pens.
Have a little lanyard hooking the steak knife to table.
Problem solved.

[Monocrom]

All the patrons had already gone through checkpoints. Here's a better idea.... clean off the table as soon as a patron leaves. Check that the steak knife is still there. Done!

****, whenever I fly, I carry a certain non-tactical pen that makes for one helluva improvised ice-pick. I always carry a good self-defense tool on me. My pen has not once raised an eye-brow.

I thought about that too. But the servers at restaurants probably aren't going to wrestle a customer to the floor when they can't find the knife. :) Might reduce the tip a bit. :D

Pens don't always work. I taped a Bic to the barrel of my shotgun. They told me I couldn't bring the pen on board. :mad: :)

A quick hand signal to the large, well-dressed, individual by the door (Bouncer) will be enough to remedy a potential situation. No one is saying the server should wrestle a patron to the ground.

A Bic.... That's the type of underestimated attitude I appreciate from the TSA while flying.

[Surfingringo]

I agree with the policy! I mean, if they let everyone use serrated steak knives then someone could use one to later hijack the plane. Actually, as dangerous as knives are those serrated weapons should probably be banned altogether, both in and out of airports! Forks are another disaster waiting to happen! I think every honest person should admit that a wooden spoon is all that's really needed to accomplish all our modern eating tasks.

The truth is that the world is a scary and dangerous place and we can't be trusted with any kind of implement that might make it even more dangerous. The ONLY people that can make the right decisions about what's safe are our leaders!! I want them to do whatever is needed to protect me! Take away my knives and guns and tell me what to do. Make me stand in line and empty my pockets. Take away my mouthwash and toothpaste and check my shoes. Detain and even incarcerate anybody who doesn't agree! Please, just let them do whatever they need to...WHATEVER is necessary! Just please, please keep me safe!! Please everyone, stop resisting...all these measures are in our best interest. Sure, it is increasingly inconvenient, and we are having to give up our individual freedoms but remember, we need to be PROTECTED!! I'm sure as soon as all this danger passes everything will go back to normal and we will all get out liberties back! Don't you think?

[Peter1960]

Surfingringo, I'll give you a hug!

[OldSarSwmr]

I agree with the policy! I mean, if they let everyone use serrated steak knives then someone could use one to later hijack the plane. Actually, as dangerous as knives are those serrated weapons should probably be banned altogether, both in and out of airports! Forks are another disaster waiting to happen! I think every honest person should admit that a wooden spoon is all that's really needed to accomplish all our modern eating tasks.

The truth is that the world is a scary and dangerous place and we can't be trusted with any kind of implement that might make it even more dangerous. The ONLY people that can make the right decisions about what's safe are our leaders!! I want them to do whatever is needed to protect me! Take away my knives and guns and tell me what to do. Make me stand in line and empty my pockets. Take away my mouthwash and toothpaste and check my shoes. Detain and even incarcerate anybody who doesn't agree! Please, just let them do whatever they need to...WHATEVER is necessary! Just please, please keep me safe!! Please everyone, stop resisting...all these measures are in our best interest. Sure, it is increasingly inconvenient, and we are having to give up our individual freedoms but remember, we need to be PROTECTED!! I'm sure as soon as all this danger passes everything will go back to normal and we will all get out liberties back! Don't you think?

"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?"
"All in all, you're just another brick in the wall".

I hope you don't mind that I was playing this song in my head, while reading your post. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that knows that I can't be trusted... :D