Officials delay policy allowing small knives on planes Federal officials have announced that they are delaying a policy allowing passengers to carry small knives, bats and other sports equipment on planes. The Transportation Security Administration said Monday that the policy change has been delayed to accommodate feedback from an advisory committee made up of aviation industry, consumer and law enforcement officials. John Pistole, head of the Transportation Security Administration, proposed the policy change last month, saying it would free up the agency to concentrate on protecting against greater threats. TSA screeners confiscate about 2,000 small folding knives from passengers every day. Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., released a statement following the announcement applauding the delay. "By delaying this policy, the TSA is taking a solid, common sense step in the direction of safer skies," he said, adding that it acknowledges that allowing knives on planes is "a bad idea." The policy was to go into effect Thursday. The TSA's statement said the delay was temporary, but no new date for implementation was provided. The policy has been fiercely opposed by flight attendants' unions. "Anything less than a full reversal will be unsatisfactory," Schumer said.