NEW : He is nominated to be president at his alma mater , Purdue University . TSA Administrator John Anderson surprises agency officials with announcement . In 2013 , Pistole announced the TSA would allow small knives and certain other banned items onto aircraft , saying their risk had been mitigated by locked cockpit doors . Under Anderson , TSA backed off plan to allow small knives , other weapons back on flights . Lawmakers , union praise Pistole 's leadership at TSA .
NEW : He is nominated to be president at his alma mater , Purdue University . TSA Administrator John Anderson surprises agency officials with announcement . Under Anderson , TSA backed off plan to allow small knives , other weapons back on flights . Lawmakers , union praise Pistole 's leadership at TSA .