Airport Calls Device 'Suspicious'

WXIA ^ | 4/7/2004 | Jennifer Leslie

[swilhelm73]

A "suspicious" device was found in the bathroom at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport today, according to the Atlanta FBI.

Authorities would not comment on the contents or potential of the device pending the outcome of their current investigation.

"We are not prepared to share with you at this time anything in regards to that device," said Gregory Jones, special agent in charge for the Atlanta FBI, at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the airport.

"We do not know what we have. I do not want to describe it for you," he said.

Atlanta Police Sgt. Shad Hutchins, who also spoke at the conference, told reporters a cleaning worker discovered the package in a men's bathroom in the South Terminal about 10:55 a.m. It was "in plain view on the counter," according to Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta.

Authorities said the worker notified the Transportation Security Administration at the airport, which in turn notified the Atlanta Police Department. A bomb squad and K-9 unit were dispatched to the airport to investigate.

After examining the device, including x-raying contents, authorities determined it to be "suspicious," Sgt. Hutchins said. Passengers were "rerouted in a limited way away from the bathroom" as law enforcement sent in a robot to contain and remove the device.

According to Sgt. Hutchins, the device was taken to a detonation area, where an investigation into its contents is currently underway.

Jones said, "[It's] being examined to determine exactly what we have."

Over the course of two hours and 10 minutes, authorities conducted a secondary sweep of the South Terminal and other parts of the airport. DeCosta said he did not think it was necessary to evacuate the Main Concourse.

Although some passengers missed their flights, DeCosta said no other flights were delayed or canceled. The South Terminal and other affected areas were reopened by 1 p.m., authorities said.

DeCosta said he was satisfied with how the situation was handled and with the airport's current security measures already in place. Including a secondary sweep of other areas.

"Those of you who use the airport know that we have constant announcements to bring to a police officer or staff member if there should be a suspicious package," he said.

The FBI, TSA and Atlanta police are being assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in the investigation.

Just prior to the announcement, Eric Blum, with the Transportation Security Administration in Washington, told NBC's Atlanta Bureau that an explosive device had been found in the airport's bathroom. Blum said the device was taped to two other objects that appeared to be part of a detonation system.

Airport officials are asking anyone who may have seen anything regarding the suspicious to call either (404) 650-2184 or the FBI at (404) 679-9000.

[eno_]

This is troubling. Not the typical response to a false alarm scenario.

Not really. More like so many resources were applied to this that it would be embarrasing if it turned out to be the guts of an electric shaver somone dropped on the floor and abandoned on the bathroom counter.

[WhiteGuy]

Debka is reporting that the suspicious item appears to be as follows:

A walker, the kind that has the 2 little wheels on the front 2 legs.

The walker has a bicycle style horn and an orange neon 8 foot flag.

The walker also has a floral design canvas bag that hangs from the knee-level support bar in the front.

Inside the canvas bag was found some "Citrocal" a Bose Wave radio, and a "vibrator" (you know)

unconfirmed

Suspicious indeed

[Denver Ditdat]

I think that goes along with this:

[I'm ALL Right!]

That almost makes me feel better...thanks.

[Final Authority]

When I travel I usually take at least two cans of diet cola with me in my carry-on. How about if these cans were sealed at some location where the contents were not exactly cola, like gasoline, or even worse, like oxidizer in one and fuel in the other? I can't believe that taking liquids on board a plane is allowed.

[nyconse]

I have heard on 750 and 640 (radio stations/talk radio) that it was a bomb. It was not a grenade. According to one report, this bomb would have done some serious damage. It would have blown up more than the bathroom in which it was found. Thank God, the cleaning crew was observant. The FBI is reviewing the security tapes-I would bet this is related to terrorism: either a foreign terrorist or a homegrown sympathizer. Pretty upsetting to have this happen in Atlanta-where I live. Frankly, I thought we were pretty safe here as compared to New York or Washington DC.

[Samwise]

"We do not know what we have. I do not want to describe it for you," he said.

Whoa. I'm having deja vu or something. Didn't they say the same thing about a device at the Indianapolis airport a while back? I don't think we ever heard about it again. I'm going to google. If any one can refresh my memory, please do so.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

It's possible this wasn't found in the restroom at all, but in some baggage area, especially if it was found inside a bag.

If that's the case, it would really spook the public because a grenade going off inside a plane in the air would not be good.