Ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks and golf clubs. Seriously? Ever since checked baggage fees were implemented by airlines, passengers are trying to bring more and more items into the cabin ("TSA gives OK to carry small knives on plane," March 6).

Coupled with airlines reducing capacity to fill planes, the aisles have become a battle zone, with everyone trying to cram their stuff into the overhead bins. Perhaps someone from the Transportation Security Administration should venture beyond the gate and actually get on an airplane to see what's happening in the real world.

MARC N. BURTON, Minneapolis