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An announcement that people will again be allowed to carry small pocketknives and other items aboard passenger planes that were banned after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks drew mixed reactions from fliers, airlines and labor.

The head of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Administrator on Tuesday said the agency will next month begin permitting knives with retractable blades shorter than 2.36 inches and narrower than 1/2 inch, as well as golf clubs, hockey sticks and certain types of baseball bats.

An industry group representing the nation's major airlines praised the change, but a union representing flight attendants said the change raises safety concerns.

"We believe this is excellent news," said Perry Flint, spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, in an e-mail. "The TSA decision will bring the U.S. into alignment with global standards on the carriage of these items."

Fliers questioned why the change didn't include more items that seem less dangerous than a small knife.

"To a passenger it seems random," frequent flier Laura La Gassa told the Houston Chronicle via Twitter. "I want to be able to keep my shoes on and carry a full-sized bottle of sunscreen."

Houston resident Andrew J. Ferraro, a former spokesman for United Airlines, said via Twitter that "OK'ing the knives kind of surprises me." As for the other items, Ferraro said he believes "it's about time."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Word that passengers can bring small knives on jets seems "random" to some