In light of recent intelligence that suggests al-Qaeda has been plotting to take down five commercial flights before Christmas, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson leaves open the possibility of a TSA ban on carry-on luggage.
With increased air travel during the holidays and a terrorist threat on its radar, DHS is considering what is “necessary without unnecessarily burdening the traveling public.”
“Well, without a doubt, our counterterrorism efforts and concerns continue to focus to a degree on aviation security, which is the reason why we directed certain enhancements at airports overseas in our screening of people before they get on airplanes, and we continually evaluate whether more is necessary without unnecessarily burdening the traveling public.”
He continues, “I am not at all discouraging people from traveling this holiday season… But we continue to be vigilant and continually evaluate whether more is necessary based on the latest.”
When asked point-blank regarding the situation with travelers’ hand bags, Johnson says,
“There’s no ban on carry-on luggage at this time.”
How would the public react if the ban were implemented? With all the stress of traveling during the holiday season, one could only imagine.