Sharp Knives

Sometimes you just have to wonder about security policies. Specifically I am thinking about those related to port security even more than the standard TSA checks. For example, when Carmen and I sailed on the Enchantment OTS in Sept 13 she was not allowed to bring a standard 8” pair of scissors on board. If you do any kind of craft you know the kind I mean. Fiskars for example with plastic handles and blades used for cutting fabric, paper or ribbon. Apparently someone decided that the length of the blade fell into the knife exclusion category and fell into the category of dangerous weapon. Personally, I think who ever decided that has been reading way too much fiction and has not spent enough time on crafts.

But please, think about it. Taking a cruise is not exactly the same as traveling in coach courtesy of US flagged cheap airlines where you are lucky to receive plastic cutlery. Shipboard they have standard metal silverware to include knives and forks. Access to multiple weapons, wouldn’t you say – especially if you included a knife sharpener in your luggage. Said item, of course is not prohibited. I guess the assumption holds that your average passenger is more interested in booze than shivs.

Steak knives as weapons didn’t seem to be a concern on the Independence of the Seas; those provided were barely capable of cutting well cooked vegetables and properly crisp offered a challenge. Not so on the Legend as I discovered last night. The knives provided in Chops are actually sharp enough to make you bleed.

So there you have it – no scissors with over a 10 cm blade but 1800 passengers with potential access to sharp eating implements which could easily double as weapons. I guess the cooks are confident enough with their skill set that they can run out of broccollini and still not worry about attack.

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4 Responses to Sharp Knives

  1. Dani says:

    Or your metal knitting needles, let’s be real.

  2. Carmen says:

    What continues to dazzle me is the requirement to take off one’s shoes, which seems to just be a US thingy. Has this been proven effective at anything? If so, well, excuse me. But I suspect no one wants to be the person who says, OK, never mind, it doesn’t help, because the blowback will be rather intense.

    • Holly says:

      That started after someone tried smuggling something in a shoe heel. I suspect they find more drugs and jewelry than weapons.

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