That's not a knife.

In the inimitable words of the Winfield smoking, Harbour Bridge rigging, prawns on the barbie throwing Paul Hogan in Crocodile Dundee, "this is a knife". Indeed, while his twelve inch blade used to slice the hide from Northern Territory crocs and keep his girlfriend safe from New York muggers was never going to make it back on the list of airline carry ons, it seems incongruous that smaller versions are now allowed to be carried in the back pockets of US airline passengers. The federal Transport Security Administration has scrapped the ban on pocket knives and small folding knives under 6 centimetres, that was part of the September 11 fight back on airline safety. Many are not happy about the decision for passengers to have the ability to carve their names into meal trays once again.

The obvious air crew, flight attendants and air marshals, none of whom were consulted, are taking a stance against TSA administrator, John Pistole, who indicated "this would bring US security regulations into line with international standards and was designed to help airport staff find more dangerous items such as explosives". Pistole inferred security needs to become based more on risk, hence the focus on explosives, sending up a shouts of joy from the NSKA, National Small Knife Association. Having poked fun at the decision via the imaginary NSKA, flight crew were also concerned that along with knives, passengers are now allowed to carry assorted sporting equipment such as billiard cues, ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse stocks, a couple of golf clubs and an array of novelty bats under 60cm in length.

So from April 25, I still won't be able to take my bottle of assault shampoo on board but I can step into the aisle and work on my back swing or even my slap shot if I so desire. After all how much damage can be done with a Big Bertha driver or the pointy end of a pool cue? This is where you insert movie scenes in a pool hall and think Vin Diesel taking on ten tough guys with just a cue stick, not to mention MacGyver, who could take over a small country with a knife and a novelty bat. It will be interesting to see reactions from the local carriers and airports, where over zealous customs personnel pride themselves on detecting concealed aerosol cans and perfume in excess of 100ml.

The TSA has suggested lines at airports would flow better without the hold up of knife confiscations but as of the decision, no rulers have been allocated for staff to check the differences between 6cm and 7cm knives. Will this omission add to the hold up, as men argue about mathematics long exaggerated or will the odd Crocodile Dundee weapon slip through? The decision made by the TSA, will polarise flyers who pray for shorter security lines while demanding aircraft cabins to be devoid of any opportunity for chaos and disruption. Is this the sharp end of the wedge of change?