SAN DIEGO --
Another airline passenger told 10News that security at San Diego's Lindbergh Field did not find a knife he accidentally left in his carry-on luggage, but the Transportation Security Administration says sharp objects, while potentially dangerous, are not their main area of concern.
The passenger, who did not wish to be identified, said he was flying from Lindbergh Field to San Jose last Friday. He said he didn't realize he had left a sail rigging knife in his duffel bag. The knife has a sharp four-inch blade and a four-inch awl on the other end. He discovered it when he got home.
"I was completely shocked when I saw it was in my bag," he said.
He was also bothered that the knife made it through security.
"I was concerned they didn't catch it," he said. "And I was concerned for other passengers' safety … why didn't they catch it with me?"
On Monday, airline passenger Jennifer Morgan told 10News she accidentally left a four-inch knife in her purse. Her knife also got through security at Lindbergh Field before it was discovered by TSA agents in Salt Lake City.
"It was my fault for having it in my purse," she said. "But my concern is why didn't they catch it in San Diego?"
The TSA in San Diego says they do catch the most serious threats and they catch far more than they let through.
However, the latest passenger to contact 10News is concerned.
"There's a serious problem," he said. "When I get on an airplane, you're expecting the federal government to provide safety on that airplane."
A statement from the TSA to 10News indicated knives are not the top priority.
"While many sharp objects remain prohibited, they are unlikely to cause catastrophic damage on an aircraft," the statement said, in part, adding that planes now have multiple layers of security, including reinforced cockpit doors, federal air marshals, federal flight deck officers and what they call a vigilant traveling public.
The statement said that intelligence tells them in this post-9/11 world that "our officers' greatest focus needs to be the biggest threat to aviation today -- explosives and explosive components."
The statement went on to say "we continue to take the discovery of knives and other prohibited items seriously."
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