'Plot to blow up planes' foiled [UK TERROR THREAT LEVEL RAISED TO IMMINENT{U.S.raised terror level)

BBC News ^ | Thursday, 10 August 2006, 05:06 GMT 06:06 UK | Unknown

[gary_b_UK]

A major terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight has been disrupted by police, Scotland Yard says.

It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on board aircraft in hand luggage.

During the night, police arrested a number of people in London after a counter-terrorist operation they said had lasted several months.

Police believe the attacks would have been particularly targeted at flights from the UK to the US.

The Department for Transport said security at all UK airports has been increased.

Passengers on all flights will not be allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK.

Only the barest essentials - including passports and wallets - will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.

[STARWISE]

I believe David Asman said, just before they switched to Sky, that security for flights here has been raised to Red .. did I hear that right?

[Chena]

Allegra! How are you? I can imagine how crazy it is there too. Good to see you!

[nopardons]

Call him in a bit.

[Don Joe]

Let's take that a step further...how about instituting random seating in addition to a "buddy" system? One would get a seat number literally as one entered the plane - no complaints - take it or leave it. Any earlier and people would try to trade.

You could have your boarding pass ahead in order to pass security and get to the gate, but no advance seat number; they would be generated randomly.

So what if couples don't get to sit together? No necessity there.

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All this nonsense why???? Oh, right -- to avoid OFFENDING Muslim males between the ages of 17 and 45.

Yeah, makes perfect sense to me. Make the HELL that air travel has become even more of a nightmare... offend everyone ELSE, to avoid offending TROP minions.

Riiiiiight.

Is this a plot created in the smoke-filled back rooms of the fuel refinery and distribution corporations, in order to boost gasoline sales as even more people swear off air travel for the comfort of their own automobiles?

[piasa]

Someone did steal a pile of sheet explosives from some New Mexico company a while back but I have no idea how thin that stuff is.

[richiehass]

Exactly!

[Petronski]

Only flights inbound to the US from the UK.

[Howlin]

No.

And we all know that they wouldn't put these passengers through this unless they are positive something was very close to happening.

[GeronL]

BAA suspending in-bound flights.

lol...

[conservative in nyc]

What have you ever accomplished on a flight that couldn't have been done via electronic communication?

Tourism is an important part of the US economy, especially in places like Hawaii. And you can't get there very quickly on a boat. Whole towns in Alaska aren't on the road network and literally depend on airplanes be able to eat.

Getting everyone into a room together is often important for business negotiations.

[sofaman]

I believe that you did..he said that Chertoff said that we are following suit...(talking of the British raising their alert level)

[nopardons]

Holy cow!

[onyx]

ALL planes were headed to U.S.

[Mo1]

FNC ALERT ... Briefing in 30 minutes from Scottland Yard

[The Red Zone]

Oh, merely for decades, and that's with the existence of countless numnuts who are missileing, bombing, and shooting somewhere in Israel every day. Replace TSA with El Al security and I'd breathe a BIGGGGG sigh of relief.

[Howlin]

What is that? Is it like tissue?

[Cindy]

Yes.

"2 suspects still at large" as heard on Fox News.

[nopardons]

The Brits ARE now going to PROFILE travelers; they just said so.

[GeronL]

something like that

[Mo1]

20 planes .. all headed to the US??

Oh Dear Lord