Lacrosse players have traditionally had a tough time traveling with equipment, especially on airplanes. The shafts are not only long and awkward to pack and stow, but they are also high grade metal. A six foot titanium pole won't logically make it through security without being flagged as a potentially deadly weapon...until now. The Transportation Security Administration just announced a statement to changes on the prohibited items list. The list of new items you can carry on the plane also includes knives, hockey sticks and ski poles among others. View the TSA statement below:
“Through TSA’s layered approach to security, and to align more closely with International Civil Aviation Organization standards, effective April 25, 2013 TSA will allow knives that do not lock, and have blades that are 2.36 inches or 6 centimeters or less in length and are less than 1/2 inch in width, novelty-sized and toy bats, billiard cues, ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks and two golf clubs as part of their carry-on baggage. This is part of an overall Risk-Based Security approach, which allows Transportation Security Officers to better focus their efforts on finding higher threat items such as explosives.”
After long feeling discriminated against and misunderstood by airlines, this is widely viewed as a win for players and lacrosse in general. How do you feel about the ban being lifted? Will you be carrying on your lacrosse stick the next time you fly? Leave a comment below.