No Nipple Rings, Though. Seriously.

An anonymous Transportation Security Administration official told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review earlier this week that TSA chief Kip Hawley is expected Friday to announce changes to the list of prohibited items allowed in carry-on baggage and to the airport screening process. Small scissors and tools are among the items expected to be let back onboard, to the consternation of flight attendants -- and, those with body piercings.

According to the Associated Press, the unnamed official said with bulletproof cockpit doors in place, federal air marshals aboard (some) flights and armed pilots, the threat of a terrorist once again attempting to take over an aircraft in a 9/11-style attack has lessened.

Flight attendants, however, are concerned that the relaxed security standards put them at added risk, as those items might be used as weapons in the cabin.

Air Transport Association spokesman David Castelveter said the industry has been briefed on the plan, and supports it.

"What we believe, as does the TSA, is that we should be focusing on what poses the greatest risk," Castelveter said.

Which -- clearly -- means nipple piercings, in addition to explosives.

A female passenger boarding a flight in Pittsburgh recently was stopped by the TSA at the security checkpoint, because her nipple rings set off the metal detector. Screeners wouldn't let her pass until she went into a bathroom and removed the metal ornaments.

As has become the traditional practice with this kind of thing, she's filed a complaint against the federal agency. At the moment, there's no resolution in the case.

FMI: www.tsa.gov