The TSA is to allow knives aboard flights, starting April 25.

In the largest rollback of airport security since the terror attacks of 9/11, the TSA said Tuesday they are to allow small knives, golf clubs, hockey sticks and pool cues, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"This change allows the Transportation Safety Administration to focus on the threats that can cause catastrophic damage to an aircraft," said the TSA statement.

Flight attendant unions and passenger safety groups immediately criticized the move.

"While we agree that a passenger wielding a small knife or swinging a golf club or hockey stick poses less of a threat to the pilot locked in the cockpit, these are real threats to passengers and flight attendants in the passenger cabin," said Stacy Martin, president of Southwest Airlines' flight attendants union, TWU Local 556.

Brandon Macsata, executive director of the Assn. for Airline Passenger Rights is not sure of what the point of the TSA plan to allow knives.

"It seems to be a poorly thought-out decision," Macsata said. "I don't pretend to understand the logic behind it."

According to ABC, the following items are to be allowed by the TSA:

*knives with retractable blades shorter than 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) and narrower than 1/2 inch at the widest point

*golf clubs

*hockey sticks

*lightweight plastic waffle-ball-style bats

*souvenir-type baseball bats less than 24 inches long

*lacrosse sticks

*billiards cues

*ski poles

The following items are still banned from flights according to the TSA:

*knives with locking blades or molded handles

*box cutters

*razor blades