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ABC News | - |
The
Homeland Security Department has warned airlines that terrorists could
try to hide explosives in shoes. It's the second time in less than three
weeks that the government has issued a warning about possible attempts
to smuggle explosives on a ...
Homeland Security Warns Airlines of New Threat
The Homeland Security Department has warned airlines that terrorists
could try to hide explosives in shoes. It's the second time in less than
three weeks that the government has issued a warning about possible
attempts to smuggle explosives on a commercial jetliner.
Homeland Security said Wednesday it regularly shares relevant
information with domestic and international partners, but it declined to
discuss specifics of a warning sent to airlines.
"Our security apparatus includes a number of measures, both seen and
unseen, informed by the latest intelligence and as always DHS continues
to adjust security measures to fit an ever evolving threat environment,"
the department said in a statement.
A U.S. intelligence official told The Associated Press that DHS released
a notice to airlines reiterating that liquids, shoes and certain
cosmetics were of concern, all of which are covered under existing
Transportation Security Administration security policies.
The latest warning was focused on flights headed to the United States from abroad.
The official said "something caused DHS concern, but it's a very low
threshold to trigger a warning like this." The official spoke on
condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the
issue publicly.
Earlier this month Homeland Security warned airlines with flights to
Russia to be on the lookout for explosive devices possibly hidden inside
toothpaste. The Transportation Security Administration then banned
passengers from bringing any liquids in their carry-on luggage on
nonstop flights from the U.S. to Russia. That warning became public just
days before the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
It is unclear if the latest warning, first reported Wednesday by NBC
News, is related to the earlier threats to Russia-bound flights.
Air passengers in the United States have had to take off their shoes at
airport security checkpoints since shortly after Richard Reid tried to
ignite explosives hidden in his shoes on a Miami-bound flight in late
2001. Reid pleaded guilty to terrorism charges and is serving a life
sentence.
The traveling public has grown increasingly impatient with expanding security checks at airports.
TSA in recent years has changed some security procedures to allow young
children and passengers 75 and older to keep their shoes on. The
security agency has also launched a fee-based program that allows
willing flyers to submit to background checks and avoid having to remove
their shoes, jackets and small amounts of liquids packed in carry-on
luggage.
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Follow Alicia A. Caldwell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/acaldwellap
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