UK Terror Plot Thwarted

[Dude]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060810/ap_on_re_eu/britain_terror_plot

LONDON - Authorities in London thwarted a terrorist plot to blow up an aircraft in mid-flight between Britain and the U.S. using explosives smuggled in hand luggage, police said Thursday.

Police arrested a number of people overnight in London after a covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months, police said in a statement.

Britain's Home Secretary said the alleged terror plot disrupted by authorities was significant and designed to cause loss of life.

The national threat level was raised to critical — a warning level that indicates the likelihood of an imminent terrorist attack. The threat rating — based on a U.S. Department of        Homeland Security's model — was posted on the Web site of Britain's MI5 — the British domestic spy agency.

Security at the country's airports was increased and additional measures were put in place for all flights.

British Airways advised all passengers that they would not be permitted to carry any hand baggage on board any aircraft departing from any airport in the country.

Maybe it's hyperbole, but someone on CNN said this had the potential to be Britain's 9/11.

 

[Football_Bat]

I'm so scared!

Guess I'll have to vote Republican now so they can bufu protect us some more. :

 

[Dude]

Wow, one post and political-pissing match is started. Way to go.

 

[KP]

Comes a couple days after a London-to-Boston flight turned around about 90 minutes after leaving Heathrow.

No liquids will be allowed on US commercial flights today. CNN has pictures from Heathrow. Place is a mob scene at 8:45 GMT.

 

[BYH]

I figured the terrorists would attack Louisville first. You know, Freedom Hall, and all that.

 

[MU_was_not_so_hard]

No liquids will be allowed on US commercial flights today. CNN has pictures from Heathrow. Place is a mob scene at 8:45 GMT.

Interesting. A dude was trying to figure out how to keep himself calm during his flight, and I told him to bring a couple mini bottles from his bar w/ him.
mmmmmm...

 

[Dude]

I figured the terrorists would attack Louisville first. You know, Freedom Hall, and all that.

Quality stuff sir.

 

[KP]

Is there better name for a government group then MI5?

 

[Dude]

Richard Quest (Sic?) of CNN pretty much said don't travel to Heathrow today.

 

[Eagles1 in London]

Heard the news when I woke up this morning--- My wife and I are at Heathrow on a pretty regular basis so this would have been a nightmare. We're flying back to Philly in a few weeks for a wedding....glad we weren't travelling today....

Have to admit, when I saw the threat level was raised to critical, i was a little nervous to take the tube this morning but I figured what are the odds, right?

 

[Boomer7]

Can you imagine flying out of one of the UK airports today? Check out what measures are in place -- it's breathtaking in its scope:

(From the British Airways site)

"Passengers may only take through the airport security search point, the following items:

"Travel documents essential for the journey (eg passports, tickets and visas)

"Pocket sized wallets and pocked sized purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards and identity cards). Handbags are not permitted.

"Prescribed medicines essential for the duration of the flight, except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.

"Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.

"Contact lenses, without bottles of solution

"For those traveling with an infant: baby food, milk and sanitary items essential for the flight.

"Keys (but no electrical key fobs).

"Every other item must be carried in customer’s hold luggage.

"For clarity, passengers are advised that no electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, ipods, remote controls etc can be carried in the cabin and must be checked in as hold baggage.

"Customers are advised to check-in as normal but to expect delays at all UK airports.

"British Airways regrets any inconvenience caused.

"Any customers not complying with this Government instruction will not be accepted for travel by British Airways.

"We expect severe congestion in and around all UK airports and possible delays to flights."

-------------------

This is either the result of an uncovered plot beyond the realm of any of our imaginations, the greatest moment of overkill since Randy's mom dressed him up for the cold weather in "A Christmas Story," or the governmental scare tactic to end all scare tactics. Wow.

 

[Dude]

From what they're saying on CNN, most of Europe is cancelling flights to Heathrow.

 

[BYH]

No laptop in stowaway? I'm not flying then.

It's bad enough fretting over whether or not my luggage is going to end up in Singapore. I think I'd have a heart attack thinking about all the things that could be happening to my laptop.

I'd take a boat back.

 

[KP]

I like that if you want to bring baby formula, you have to taste it. Blah!!!!

 

[steveu]

I'm so scared!

Guess I'll have to vote Republican now so they can bufu protect us some more. :

Damn straight. And don't you forget it.
On a more serious note, this would have been huge had the plan gone off without a hitch. Did I read they're not allowing hand baggage on board? Hmm. Might not be a bad idea here, if only to prevent every Tom, **** and Harry from bringing their 25-pound carry-on aboard.

 

[gingerbread]

I've twice been forced to check laptops rather than carry them on with me. Both screens were shattered by turbulence, but the airlines said they weren't at fault. Now if my laptop doesn't go on with me, I don't take the flight. I can't afford to break another.
But I did see the CEO of JetBlue on my flight to SLC last week. He sat in a middle seat in the back of a crowded plane, and about midway through the flight he introduced himself over the speaker and began distributing drinks and goodies. Says he flies at least once a week to stay connected with the customer. And I happened to be flying free on this flight after writing JetBlue to thank them for their service (and those comfy leather chairs that have made trips to my chiro almost nonexistent); because of my nice letter, the JetBlue CEO sent me a free ticket ... and now here he was handing out chocchip cookies. It's a very nice airline but they better not check laptops.

 

[pressboxer]

Is there better name for a government group then MI5?

I would say MI6, but they handle external security.

 

[KP]

Washington officials are saying the flights targeted were American, Continental and United flights. The destinations were believed to be going to NYC, DC and California.
Good luck to those flying today.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

OK, Scotland Yard investigates this plot for months, then busts 18 people and ONLY THEN installs red alert super security?
Isn't that kind of bassackwards?

 

[markvid]

If Osama is ever located, don't kill him, make him fly commercial for a month.
It's much worse than death.