Terror fears bring tighter security

Five days after authorities foiled a terrorist plot to blow up 10 jets mid-flight between Britain and the U.S., the fear continues in the hearts and minds of passengers.
&#8220I was very concerned when I heard the news [of the plot],” said Rachel Caswell, 29, a secondary school teacher from Reading, England, who had been vacationing with friends in Fresh Meadows through August 16.
Although the threat level on Britain-bound flights was downgraded from red (severe) to orange (high), on Monday, August 14, the ringing of a banned unclaimed cell phone on a British Airways plane en route to New York forced the crew to dump their fuel and return to London. After further security checks, the flight arrived in New York, seven hours late.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which, immediately following the terrorist threat on Thursday, August 10, banned all liquids and gels - including shampoos, contact lens solutions, and even hand lotions and make-up - had begun to allow certain items by Sunday, August 13.
According to TSA instructions issued to airline employees that day, &#8220Passengers may have baby formula, milk and baby food in small containers if a baby or small child is traveling. Prescription medicines and other non-essential prescription items are not to exceed four ounces. Liquids and gels for diabetic passengers who indicate a need for such items…can be no greater than eight ounces per container. Solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items such as lipstick in a tube, solid deodorant, lip balm and similar solids are permitted.”
A Delta Airlines customer service agent who requested anonymity, told The Queens Courier, &#8220TSA officials went around making announcements [on August 10]. We had signs posted everywhere letting people know about the new rules. Even though the majority of people were cooperative, a lot were confused.”
The agent said that the added security checks, although necessary, proved to be a hindrance, but did not deter people from flying.
&#8220It's almost a burden,” she said. &#8220This comes at the height of a heavy travel time. Despite what went on, people are still flying. Our flights are full - overbooked, actually.”
&#8220Some people don't like all of this extra security for airplanes,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. &#8220I don't think most people would want to get on an airplane if they saw that you could just walk on.”
At London's Heathrow Airport, 30 percent of flights were canceled immediately. New York Senator Charles Schumer and his wife - on a family vacation -were caught up in the chaos at Heathrow and they searched for their luggage for over seven hours.
By August 14, canceled flights had dropped to 10 percent of the schedule as officials announced that beginning Tuesday, August 15, passengers would be allowed to carry a single, briefcase-sized bag, and that books, laptop computers and iPods would be permitted again.
Nevertheless, travelers were forced to wait on long lines to board their flights.
Caswell told The Queens Courier that she was glad the new rules were being adopted, and that she did not mind the wait.
&#8220I had been considering changing my plans,” she said. &#8220It all depended on what I could take home with me. I have a laptop for work, a cell phone and an MP3 player. They do a great job with security.”
In the days following the thwarted plot, 25 suspects were arrested across England.
One was released on Friday, August 11 without being charged.
An additional 17 people were being detained in Pakistan, including Rashid Rauf, a British national named as one of the key suspects.
According to reports, Rauf is believed to have connections to a senior al Qaeda leader in Afghanistan.
&#8220We have learned, once again, how important it is that we remain vigilant, that we work closely with our friends and allies and like-minded civilized people around the world, because as we approach the fifth anniversary of 9-11. We can breathe a collective sigh of relief that we haven't been attacked again, but we cannot, in any way, relax our guard,” said Senator Hillary Clinton.
&#8220[These] events underscore once again the need for threat-based funding of homeland security. We have to have the best, most humanly-possible system of security - in our airports, in our transit systems, in our ports, in our borders,” Clinton added.