http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778575.stm'Plot to blow up planes' foiled
A terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight from the UK to the US has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said. It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on aircraft in hand luggage. Police have arrested about 18 people in the London area after an anti-terrorist operation lasting several months. Security at all airports in the UK has been tightened and delays are reported. MI5 has raised the UK threat level to critical - the highest possible. According to MI5's website, critical threat level means "an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK". BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford says he does not think the police believe an attack is imminent. "The reason for raising the threat level is in case there is some other sub-plot, back-up plot around this that the police aren't aware of," he said. Scotland Yard said in a statement that their investigation into the alleged plot was a "major operation" which would be "lengthy and complex". "We would like to reassure the public that this operation was carried out with public safety uppermost in our minds." Home Secretary John Reid confirmed that there had apparently been a plot "to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions causing a considerable loss of life". Prime Minister Tony Blair is on holiday in the Caribbean, but Downing Street said the police operation was undertaken with his full support and he had been "in constant touch". A spokesman for Number 10 added that Mr Blair had briefed US President George Bush on the situation during the night.
Transparent bags
Passengers have to put any carry-on luggage in plastic bags
The Department for Transport set out the details of the security measures at UK airports.
Passengers will not be allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK, the department said.
Only the barest essentials - including passports and wallets - will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.
"We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the government, will need to be in place for a limited period only," the statement said.
'Jam-packed'
At Heathrow Airport, BBC presenter Fiona Bruce said there were "ranks of people" unable to get into the terminal.
"Terminal One is completely at a standstill. Nobody is being checked in at all."
She said it was "jam-packed", but passengers were managing to remain "good natured".
BBC journalist Joe Lynam encountered the increased security measures at Gatwick airport.
"I was handed a piece of paper saying that pretty much nothing could be taken on board the plane," he said.
"Everything had to be checked in and that includes mobile phones, ipods, wallets - even spectacle cases had to be checked in."
British Airways said that passengers who do not wish to fly on Thursday can rebook on flights leaving over the next two weeks.
David Learmount from Flight International Magazine said he expected passengers to be searched much more carefully.
He added: "This is the first time this measure has actually been taken. Certainly I've never seen hand luggage banned."
'Plot to blow up planes' foiled
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Justwannafly
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'Plot to blow up planes' foiled
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Jeremy Kent
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I'm flying YYC-YOW this morning (as a passenger), and it's already spilled over to domestic flights. No liquids are being permitted on board. People are being asked to drink or dump out their coffees, bottles of water, pop...you name it.
Apparently passengers on international flights are not being allowed to bring gels, liquids or creams. No moisturizers, no mouthwash, no toothpaste. I guess you're SOL when your luggage gets lost - you don't even have your shave kit with you.
My question is what's going to happen when we're told that we're not allowed to fly with our laptops and ipods...I'll have to put my electronics into a steel pelican case before I trust them to the current baggage handling system. I've seen firsthand the damage that's been done to checked baggage.
How much longer will it be before passengers are shackled into their seats while flying?
Apparently passengers on international flights are not being allowed to bring gels, liquids or creams. No moisturizers, no mouthwash, no toothpaste. I guess you're SOL when your luggage gets lost - you don't even have your shave kit with you.
My question is what's going to happen when we're told that we're not allowed to fly with our laptops and ipods...I'll have to put my electronics into a steel pelican case before I trust them to the current baggage handling system. I've seen firsthand the damage that's been done to checked baggage.
How much longer will it be before passengers are shackled into their seats while flying?
Please don't tell my mother that I work in the Oilpatch...she still thinks that I'm the piano player at a whorehouse.
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talkinghead
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When will they realize the main threat is on the ramp - the joe bloes that wander in and out and have already placed several explosives onboard in recent years. I am in no way judging all of the hard working guys and gals that load the planes every day, but i can not stand to see regular passengers and Air Crew subjected to this BS, Mothers forced to drink Breast milk from their child's bottle, Captains asked to pretty much strip down in the back, ... You don't think terrorists have figured out a way to foil the tricky make-em-drink-your-coffee test?
I am glad I board in FBOs or private airfileds usually, which also makes me laugh because I guess if you board at an FBO, you pose no threat. I cannot recall when I last got screened, let alone questionned when I waltz out on the ramp with my passengers (and last week, my pax met the non existant profiling requirements).
Frustrating. it's hard to think like a terrorist when this kind of terrorism is in fact relatively new to us.
I am glad I board in FBOs or private airfileds usually, which also makes me laugh because I guess if you board at an FBO, you pose no threat. I cannot recall when I last got screened, let alone questionned when I waltz out on the ramp with my passengers (and last week, my pax met the non existant profiling requirements).
Frustrating. it's hard to think like a terrorist when this kind of terrorism is in fact relatively new to us.
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talkinghead
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Be quite about the FBO thing. That will be next thing they shut the door on.jetway wrote:When will they realize the main threat is on the ramp - the joe bloes that wander in and out and have already placed several explosives onboard in recent years. I am in no way judging all of the hard working guys and gals that load the planes every day, but i can not stand to see regular passengers and Air Crew subjected to this BS, Mothers forced to drink Breast milk from their child's bottle, Captains asked to pretty much strip down in the back, ... You don't think terrorists have figured out a way to foil the tricky make-em-drink-your-coffee test?
I am glad I board in FBOs or private airfileds usually, which also makes me laugh because I guess if you board at an FBO, you pose no threat. I cannot recall when I last got screened, let alone questionned when I waltz out on the ramp with my passengers (and last week, my pax met the non existant profiling requirements).
Frustrating. it's hard to think like a terrorist when this kind of terrorism is in fact relatively new to us.
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http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/nation ... thurs.html
Imagine if you had the power to move the markets this much?....up or down if you or a company you own based offshore that owns a chunk of one of these or an index you could make enough money in one day to never have to work again:)
Imagine if you had the power to move the markets this much?....up or down if you or a company you own based offshore that owns a chunk of one of these or an index you could make enough money in one day to never have to work again:)
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Cat Driver
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These terrorists are not religeous fanatics, they are in the employ of Blair and Bush.
Those guys who blew themselves up on the busses in London last year are proof of that....
I understand here is a real contest between Blair and Bush, Tony still has to match Bushes blowing up all those buildings in New York and Washington.
Cat
Those guys who blew themselves up on the busses in London last year are proof of that....
I understand here is a real contest between Blair and Bush, Tony still has to match Bushes blowing up all those buildings in New York and Washington.
Cat
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
I'm having difficulty following your logic. The Brits have uncovered a significant plan to down up to 10 US bound airlines. It appears that you, along with some other people on this forum, convey to the rest of us that the actions taken today are WAY out of proportion and that it's hoax.I am Birddog wrote:I bet you voted for Harper...and if you has the chance you would vote for G W Bush.bmc wrote:Hey wow. Two idiots on the board. Break out the banjos.
How does my response to such stupid comments suggest I voted for Stephen Harper? I am puzzled how to connect the dots in your logic.
bmc
