Suspects Removed at Gunpoint From Jets (NEW ATTEMPT)

WASHINGTON -- Up to 10 people of Middle Eastern descent were detained at two New York airports -- at least three removed at gunpoint from a Los Angeles-bound jet, sources told The Associated Press.

At least some of the people detained Thursday were carrying knives, according to published reports. Authorities were investigating whether the two groups -- detained at Kennedy and LaGuardia airports -- were more would-be hijackers or people related to the attack trying to flee the New York area.

One man was arrested with a fake pilot's license, Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik said. Several of those detained had attempted to board airlines Tuesday around the time of the hijackings but were turned away and fled, a U.S. official requesting anonymity told the AP.

The incidents caused the region's three major airports _ Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark, N.J. -- to close again just hours after service was restored.

The Washington Post, citing unidentified government sources, reported that two armed groups of five people each were detained with knives, false identification and open tickets dated Tuesday _ the day of the attacks. ABC News also reported that those detained were carrying knives.

A source familiar with the workings of the airline industry told the AP that law enforcement officers secretly boarded a plane at Kennedy using a catering cart. The officers, with weapons drawn, then removed the three from the plane.

One of those being detained was believed to have had flight training similar to that obtained by Tuesday's hijackers, the U.S. official said. The Post reported that those detained had certificates from the same Florida training school attended by some members of Tuesday's hijackings.

A passenger on a San Jose-bound American Airlines jet at Kennedy told The New York Times that officers boarded and closely questioned about 15 people.

"Anyone with dark skin or who spoke with an accent was taken aside and searched," passenger Mike Glass of Seattle told the Times. "And then they went to any male with too much facial hair."

Also, the Times, quoting unidentified law enforcement sources, reported that two men were detained from a Saudi aircraft at Newark after being identified on a terrorist watch list.

Separately, new information emerged about Tuesday's events. A law enforcement source told the AP that the FBI was investigating an altercation at Kennedy on Tuesday, and trying to understand whether that incident might have been an aborted hijacking attempt.

Tuesday's incident occurred about 9 a.m. -- around the same time two hijacked jet airliners crashed into the World Trade Center towers. After passengers had boarded United Airlines Flight 23, bound for Los Angeles, officials told them it had been canceled

Three males refused to disembark and argued with the flight crew, who called airport security. The men vanished before security arrived, the source said.

There have been persistent, unconfirmed reports that a fifth hijacking had been attempted Tuesday but somehow averted.

(PROFILE (CO:AMR Corporation; TS:AMR; IG:TRV;) )

To: KillerWabbit

"Anyone with dark skin or who spoke with an accent was taken aside and searched," passenger Mike Glass of Seattle told the Times. "And then they went to any male with too much facial hair."

Speaking as someone with far too much facial hair, I can only say "GOOD!"

41 posted on 09/14/2001 5:34:23 AM PDT by BurkeanCyclist

42 posted on 09/14/2001 5:35:21 AM PDT by nothingnew

Time for mass deportation of every non us citizen of middle eastern decent. Follow by denying entry to same at all borders and ports. This is war!

43 posted on 09/14/2001 5:41:30 AM PDT by off-roader

To: combattingcommunistcells

44 posted on 09/14/2001 5:41:54 AM PDT by Tunehead54

To: KillerWabbit

Just give them a few days.

45 posted on 09/14/2001 5:44:48 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants

To: Texas_Jarhead

If you started a new thread just to ask a question, that's probably why it was pulled.

It's NOT ridiculuous - it' called wise use of bandwidth. BTW, have you contributed to the the fundraiser? If not, why not?

46 posted on 09/14/2001 5:49:00 AM PDT by mombonn

How long before the FALN terrorists that x42 released will do some damage?

47 posted on 09/14/2001 5:51:50 AM PDT by b4its2late

To: hobbb nothingnew

Notice the dates, and the fact that they immediately pulled the cover. There are going to be a lot of things that were acceptable on Monday, but will turn our stomaches on Wednesday.

Tuesday changed the rules forever.

48 posted on 09/14/2001 5:58:08 AM PDT by Freeper 007

I would suggest to all what I intend. If I get on an airplane and see any arab looking individual, I will loudly, yes LOUDLY insist either he deplane or I will.

49 posted on 09/14/2001 6:03:01 AM PDT by wastoute

PS Yup that is right. I suggest patriotic arab americans take trains.

50 posted on 09/14/2001 6:03:42 AM PDT by wastoute

ABC and local reports said some of those arrested were carrying knives similar to those used in Tuesday's hijackings.

What in the hell is going on? If this is true, and these were the detainees from the plane, how in the hell did they get on board with knives?

51 posted on 09/14/2001 6:17:07 AM PDT by jackbill

"But has anyone else given thought to or heard about the possibility that these people being caught are "copy cat" terrorists--merely sympathizers who know nothing about the actual conspiracy? "

I brought that up to several people yesterday, and it seems that not many people were thinking that far ahead of Tuesday's atrocities.

It bears keeping in mind, and I'm sure the agents involved have been thinking about it.

52 posted on 09/14/2001 6:18:48 AM PDT by cake_crumb

Also Farakhan and the rest of the Nation of Islam scum.

54 posted on 09/14/2001 7:05:45 AM PDT by nhbob1

"Anyone with dark skin or who spoke with an accent was taken aside and searched," passenger Mike Glass of Seattle told the Times. "And then they went to any male with too much facial hair."

Uh oh. Wait 'til the PC Police hear about this!

55 posted on 09/14/2001 7:07:12 AM PDT by VoodooEconomist

Yes, I acquired my M1 Garand Sword in 1981. It was rebarrelled in 1957; other than that I don't know its history.

Let's hope I won't have to use it for anything I haven't already used it for.

56 posted on 09/14/2001 7:07:39 AM PDT by OKSooner

BTW, thanks for the scripture, I think I see a personalized license plate in my car's future...

57 posted on 09/14/2001 7:09:23 AM PDT by OKSooner

To: KillerWabbit

Has any liberal dared squawk about racial profiling yet?

Here's an idea - to kill two birds with one stone ... so to speak.

As generous taxpayers, let's fund the airlines - that will allow liberals to fly free for two weeks. No one flies except liberals. No profiling of any sort. And using existing (i.e. before Tuesday attack) security measures at airports. While the terrorists are purging themselves, liberals can feel good about being PC.

58 posted on 09/14/2001 7:10:59 AM PDT by VoodooEconomist

has any one heard of guilt by association ?

59 posted on 09/14/2001 7:16:22 AM PDT by ATOMIC~ONE

Just think about how many lives were saved by shutting down ALL air travel almost immediately...good one Bush administration!

60 posted on 09/14/2001 7:28:08 AM PDT by DouglasKC

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