Aug 10, 2006 1:29 pm US/Pacific
Bay Area Airports Up Security After Terror Plot
Travelers Should Expect Delays
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / BCN / AP) ―
Bay Area airports announced increased security measures Thursday morning as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security raised the nation's threat level for airline flights throughout the country.
In response to arrests in the United Kingdom overnight related to "a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States,'' the Department of Homeland Security raised the nation's threat level to its highest --Severe, or Red -- level for commercial flights bound for the United States from the United Kingdom, according to a statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
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Slideshow: Terror Plot ThwartedThe Department of Homeland Security has also raised the nation's threat level to High, or Orange, for all commercial flights operating in or destined for the United States, Chertoff said.
Chertoff reported that the Transportation Security Administration, working with federal and airport authorities and commercial airlines, has expanded security requirements.
According to the Homeland Security Department, effective at 4 a.m. local time throughout the country, officials are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels and lotions from being carried on to airplanes.
Additional security measures within airports and at screening checkpoints can be expected, Chertoff said. "We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted," said Chertoff.
Mineta San Jose International Airport has increased police presence around the airport, spokeswoman Joanne Sanfilippo reported.
According to San Jose police Sgt. Nick Muyo, airline travelers can expect delays due to increased police patrols and random vehicle searches.
Muyo said people may also see police dogs and officers at checkpoints around the airport.
In addition, airline passengers will not be allowed to take any liquids onto flights and should plan ahead for this, Muyo said.
Muyo did not know how long the increased security measures would last.
Similar increased security measures also occured at San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport.
The ticket counter at the United Airlines terminal at San Francisco International Airport was a scene of chaos Thursday morning.
Because of increased security measures, both the security and check-in lines were so long at the terminal that lines stretched out into multiple switchbacks.
Lines were long at other terminals at the airport as well.
At Oakland International Airport, a power outage added to the long lines, delays and general confusion. Airline agents at one point were writing out bag tags by hand because their computers and printers had no power. No word yet on what caused the outage.
Separately, construction crews at Oakland International accidentally set off a fire alarm in terminal 1, causing the temporary closure of the departure/drop-off area .
(CBS 5 / BCN / AP)
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