The Transportation Security Administration loosened some airline restrictions yesterday. For the first time since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the TSA will now allow small knives and some previously banned sports equipment onto airplanes as carry-on items. Sports equipment such as billiard cues, ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks and no more than two golf clubs will now be permitted. Souvenir, novelty and toy baseball bats - such as wiffle-ball bats - will also be allowed. Passengers will be able to carry-on knives that are less than 2.36 inches long and less than ½ inch at the widest point. The new rules will go into effect on April 25. TSA said the new regulations will allow its officers to better focus efforts on finding "higher threat items such as explosives and/or improvised explosive device (IED) components.”