WASHINGTON, July 25, 2007

U.S. Warns Airports To Watch For Dry Runs

"Routine" Advisory Tells Of Bomb-Like Ingredients Seized At Four Airports Since Sept. 2006

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(CBS/AP)  The Transportation Security Administration - pointing to the seizure of bomb-like ingredients at four airports in the past year – has sent out an advisory to airport security workers reminding them to be on the lookout for potential rehearsals of terror attacks by individuals practicing their hand at smuggling contraband onto a plane.

The unclassified alert was distributed on July 20 by the Transportation Security Administration to federal air marshals, its own transportation security officers and other law enforcement agencies.

CBS News correspondent Bob Orr says U.S. officials stress that this is a routine advisory – one of about 90 similar "bulletins" the TSA has circulated to its workers since January, as a reminder to baggage screeners, air marshals and other security officials to take a very broad "eyes open" approach to their jobs.

The bulletin, which does not constitute a heightened state of alert, tells TSA workers that items seized in separate incidents at the airports in San Diego, Milwaukee, Houston and Baltimore airports have included "wires, switches, pipes or tubes, cell phone components and dense clay-like substances," including block cheese. "The unusual nature and increase in number of these improvised items," the TSA says in its advisory, "raise concern."

Security officers are urged to keep an eye out for "ordinary items that look like improvised explosive device components" – that is, things that could be used to build a homemade bomb.

Word of the advisory surfaced on the same day as two other reports which could put American nerves on edge: comments by a U.S. military commander on the potential for al Qaeda terror cells within the fifty states, and a non-terror related warning from air traffic controllers who say poor maintenance of airport facilities could endanger the flying public.

The TSA circulated its 13-paragraph security advisory internally and not to reporters – who started questioning Bush administration officials after the document leaked out to the media late Tuesday and was posted on the web.

"There is no credible, specific threat here," said TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe. "Don't panic. We do these things all the time."

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI both say that while aviation remains a prime terrorist target, they see no credible evidence of any imminent attack in the U.S.

The alert level for the nation's airports remains Orange, which means "High," while the alert level for the rest of the country is unchanged at Yellow, which means "Elevated."

Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke described the TSA advisory as the latest copy of a routine informational bulletin.

A statement posted late Tuesday by the TSA on its Web site confirms that "a routine TSA intelligence bulletin relating to suspicious incidents at U.S. airports" had leaked out to news organizations.

The bulletin says a joint FBI-Homeland Security Department assessment found that terrorists have conducted probes, dry runs and dress rehearsals in advance of previous attacks.

It cites various types of rehearsals conducted by terrorists before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon; the July 7, 2005, London subway bombings; the Aug. 2, 2006, London-based plot to blow up trans-Atlantic flights using liquid explosives and the 1994 Bojinka plot in the Philippines to blow up multiple airliners over the Pacific Ocean.

The bulletin says initial investigation has not linked the men and women carrying the suspicious items to any terrorist or criminal organizations. The TSA adds that most of the explanations given by passengers caught with subsequently seized items have been suspicious in themselves and some are still under investigation.

The four seizures are described as follows:

  • San Diego, July 7. A U.S. person - either a citizen or a foreigner legally here - checked baggage containing two ice packs covered in duct tape. The ice packs had clay inside them rather than the normal blue gel.

  • Milwaukee, June 4. A U.S. person's carry-on baggage contained wire coil wrapped around a possible initiator, an electrical switch, batteries, three tubes and two blocks of cheese. The bulletin said block cheese has a consistency similar to some explosives.

  • Houston, Nov. 8, 2006. A U.S. person's checked baggage contained a plastic bag with a 9-volt battery, wires, a block of brown clay-like minerals and pipes.

  • Baltimore, Sept. 16, 2006. A couple's checked baggage contained a plastic bag with a block of processed cheese taped to another plastic bag holding a cellular phone charger.

    © MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Add a Comment See all 38 Comments
    by dimmbulb July 25, 2007 4:02 AM PDT
    And all these people with wires and blocks of cheese and clay are in prison, I hope? TSA, FBI, and Homeland Security - I sure hope you're able to lock these folks up.
    -dimmbulb
    Reply to this comment
    by ghostcommand July 25, 2007 5:02 AM PDT
    This is garbage. Just another addition added to the Fear tactic's that was started last week by Bush's terror speech and supported by statements from lock step, rubber stamping brown shirts administration employees and Senators and Representatives. This is old data dug out of cold files or maybe even made up. Has anybody been arrested? The press should at least get verification from an independent source before putting this flimsy info out. What this country needs is a number of Joseph Welch's. He is the gentleman that sealed Joe McCarthy's fate. The Bush administration has no shame.Fascist's never do!
    Reply to this comment
    by zootallures2 July 25, 2007 7:02 AM PDT
    Any magic pancakes?
    Reply to this comment
    by skyk-2009 July 25, 2007 7:06 AM PDT
    This is a very bad situation folks. We have a Wimpy Hand Puppet for a Leader and a member of the Klan serving as Vice (the actual President). The Vice has sent his puppet out to scare the American People with lie after lie for so long now that NO ONE believes them. There's a real danger in all that of course but even worse there's a real danger in the Vice President. He's completely out of control and will say or do just about anything rather than admit his Policy of invading another country was wrong. Very scary times indeed.
    Reply to this comment
    by cathaleen July 25, 2007 8:00 AM PDT
    They're too busy chasing babies' sippy cups.
    If they profiled the correct people, we would be more on the right track. But no, we have to make sure we pat down every old white & black man and woman. If we get hit again, pray we don't, send a thank you card to the ACLU.
    Reply to this comment
    by rushlimpdrug July 25, 2007 8:00 AM PDT
    This threat must be taken very seriously.
    1. I was served diet coke instead of regular coke and was quickly alerted therby avoiding an emergency.
    2. Another time someone in the plane cut the cheeze with a consistency of methane. Thank God no one had a lighter.
    Be afraid - be very afraid.
    Reply to this comment
    by cbs_oliver July 25, 2007 8:01 AM PDT
    ""There is no credible, specific threat here," said TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe. "Don't panic. We do these things all the time.""

    There is however a proven credible threat from whoever carried out the anthrax terror attacks which killed people all over America a few years ago.

    About as credible as possible.

    Seems to me it would make sense to look into that terror cell - maybe even catch them - before they kill again.

    That's something to really be afraid of.

    Let's see some stories on that and some congressional investigation into why the FBI has not arrested the terrorists and has changed the story of the investigation and prevenmted the congress from carry out oversight responsibilities.
    Reply to this comment
    by cbs_oliver July 25, 2007 8:05 AM PDT
    Just because it is clear that the Republican administration is trying to scare us is no reason not to be afraid.

    Perhaps even afraid of them.

    God knows, they have demonstrated they will kill for power.
    Reply to this comment
    by brianbwb-2009 July 25, 2007 8:15 AM PDT
    ghostcommand, and veteran71,

    Because we know it is BS is all the more reason for Bush to make another one happen for real. We see he is not above murder to achieve his personal agenda, his hands already overflowing with the blood of the innocent, the basement of hell is the lowest floor, he already has a booking there.

    He is literally fighting for his life, he knows if he is voted down, impeachment, arrest and trial for treason is next. Because he knows he is guilty of probably all charges that might be brought against him, he will sacrifice the lives of whomever and however many it takes to "avoid" his fate.

    It probably will happen shortly after the Sept. 25 report reveals him as a failure, and before the vote to bring the soldiers home.
    Reply to this comment
    by nonameabc July 25, 2007 8:18 AM PDT
    I get to afraid of our administration rather than the so called "terrorists".

    God Bless America.
    Reply to this comment
    by brianbwb-2009 July 25, 2007 8:21 AM PDT
    CBS_Oliver,

    I am 50 years old, from Detroit, and I remember much literature from neo nazi groups like Aryan Nations, and the KKK, which contained plans to disseminate anthrax through the postal system. These pamphlets and flyers were dropped at high schools in "white" and "predominately white" neighborhoods. This was as far back as the early 70s.

    There is a reason why the anthrax terror groups are not investigated, they will find many of their own are members of such groups.
    Reply to this comment
    by perception5 July 25, 2007 8:26 AM PDT
    Proof- From Rasmussen Reports, the American people have spoken and this is what they agree on:


    "Sunday, July 22, 2007

    In the final poll of a series measuring perceptions of media bias, the Associated Press, local television stations, MSNBC, and CNBC are all perceived as tilting to the left when reporting the news.

    Earlier releases showed that Americans tend to believe the major broadcast networks (CBS,NBC,ABC) CNN, and NPR have a liberal bias. Fox News is seen as having a bias in the other direction. In print, the New York Times, Washington Post, and local newspapers were also seen as having a liberal bias."

    .....SO......when? is our liberal MSM wolfpack going to implement "affirmative action" programs that include NOT EXCLUDE "moderates" and "conservative".

    And we wonder why our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack press hasn't had "big stories" reporting these opinions from the American public.

    Gee.........I wonder why.

    Reply to this comment
    by ralan40 July 25, 2007 8:35 AM PDT
    keep in mind that the term "terrorism" contains the word Terror. The ultimate goal of a terrorist attack isn't to kill people but to scare them. Dead people only help increase the fear among the 'survivors' or witneses to the events. I see their message that Bush is a murderer has already gotten to some people.

    I'm not defending the President's actions but promoting the ideals of terrorists is much more disturbing than anything our leader has done. If I'm not mistaken, We went to Iraq with the blessing of key senior Democrats who "voted for the war before they voted against it". I'm more worried about Americans who's ideas have already been shaped by the words of the real murderers and terrorists than anything our Presidents (including Bill Clinton) have done when dealing with Iraq.
    Reply to this comment
    by rushlimpdrug July 25, 2007 8:43 AM PDT
    perception5 - shut up. Just admit you're stupid. you post the same krap over and over. It is summertime, go read a comic book or jump in a lake.
    Reply to this comment
    by omega39-2009 July 25, 2007 8:46 AM PDT
    ..SO......when? is our liberal MSM wolfpack going to implement "affirmative action" programs that include NOT EXCLUDE "moderates" and "conservative".
    Posted by perception5

    So perception5, I can only conclude that you support bringing back the fairness doctrine.
    Reply to this comment
    by gunshack1 July 25, 2007 9:03 AM PDT
    Good God, who are you all going to blame for everything going to he** in a hand cart after the Repubs get thrown out of office next year, as they surely will. Do you really think everything will be ok then? There will be no more war, no more terrorist attacks anywhere in the world, global warming will go away. We'll all be drinking free bubble-up and eating rainbow stew.
    Reply to this comment
    by cathaleen July 25, 2007 9:19 AM PDT
    9/11 happened after eight years of democrats dodging the real dangers of terrorism. If we get hit again, it's because someone was asleep at the switch. Too much bureauracy, looking at the wrong people, and still letting the terrorists into this country.
    Reply to this comment
    by rushlimpdrug July 25, 2007 9:30 AM PDT
    Good God, who are you all going to blame for everything going to he** in a hand cart after the Repubs get thrown out of office next year,. . ..
    Posted by gunshack1

    Blame? Therein is the problem. BLAME. Why the need to blame? As an American our spirit should not be to BLAME. I have noticed the trend in the past years that blame is become automatic. Rather than blame, let us challenge ourselves to do better.
    Skrew the talk of repub, demo, conserv, lib.
    We should be better than that.
    We should rise above fear. Indeed we have and we can.
    I do not wish the next generation of Americans to live in fear or blame.
    I for one have had enough of the blame game and the fear tactic.
    I say we pull TOGETHER as AMERICANS and stop the stupidity.
    We can do it.
    Reply to this comment
    by micma-2009 July 25, 2007 9:39 AM PDT


    Don't worry people. We're fighting them over there so they would never come here right?


    Reply to this comment
    by blancadebree July 25, 2007 10:07 AM PDT
    I bet the Defeatocrats feel real stupid now about fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them over here. It's just a matter of time before one of these clay or cheese bombs slips through security and unsuspecting passengers are covered in Play Dough or fondu!
    Reply to this comment
    by dodaz-2009 July 25, 2007 10:17 AM PDT

    A Tyrant's only weapon, is FEAR.
    Reply to this comment
    by neenga July 25, 2007 10:20 AM PDT
    I travel all the time for business. I pack food with me (yes, blocks of cheese too)in my checked luggage, and if they take my food, I will be royally pi$$ed off. I avoid a lot of expenditures and weight gain by taking my own food, as well as a serrated knife for cutting a fresh tomato (also in my luggage) and a fork. What also makes me mad is each airport is different. What passes in one doesn't pass in another, etc. I never know what to expect anymore. Don't get me started on international travel!
    Reply to this comment
    by dodaz-2009 July 25, 2007 10:20 AM PDT
    Let's Dissolve the FEAR..w/ REAL, constructive action. Not, B.S.--i think everyone is tired of B.S. AHMEN !
    Reply to this comment
    by neenga July 25, 2007 10:23 AM PDT
    rushlimpdrug: Will you marry me??
    Reply to this comment
    by Syndicate July 25, 2007 10:31 AM PDT
    If the terrorist want to blow up planes why don't they do like the drug smugglers. Put the Explosives in condoms and swallow them and hope like hell the flight isn't delayed.
    Reply to this comment
    by drummer94 July 25, 2007 10:42 AM PDT
    So. no innocent person would tape stuff together, carry perishable items (cheese) or take the time to empty a resuable ice pack and refill it with clay, would they. Why the **** are officials downplaying this? And why no mention of arrests? Are there not a kazillion cameras and thousands of screeners/security people being used?
    Reply to this comment
    by drummer94 July 25, 2007 10:45 AM PDT
    ....... Somethin' stinks, and it's just not the spoiled cheese.
    Reply to this comment
    by random_radar July 25, 2007 11:06 AM PDT
    The simplest way for a suicide bomber to get on a plane is to stick plastic explosives in his colon (several pounds will fit, which will blow the plane to kingdom come). A modified cell phone transmitter igniter will pass through the metal detector without setting it off. Then all you have to do is place a call to the igniter with a cell phone to detonate it.

    In essence, this would be a human IED. The terrorists already know the technology and our screening procedures will not catch it. So the bottom line is that looking for cheese in baggies is great, but it isn't stopping terrorist bombings. All it would take is for Al Queda to pull their heads out and stick a bomb in instead.
    Reply to this comment
    by iamlizmarie July 25, 2007 12:02 PM PDT
    When traveling to various U.S. cities, such as, PIT, PBI, JAX and a few more we often stop to eat before boarding our plane. We have already gone through the security check point with our carry on and take off our shoes to enter the terminal. We go to T.G.I.F or one similar and are given a steak knife, fork and a real glass not plastic to eat with.
    Where is the security check point before boarding? There is none and you or anyone else can bring on the plane knives and broken glass and cigarette lighters which you can purchase at the stores after you go through the check point.

    I have also experienced twice, not once a plane that still had my carry on luggage. The plane was delayed on the runway and we were told to get off plane and return to the gate in 1 hr. I went to a near by restaurant at PIT airport and while in there the gate was changed and time to board plane --- I never heard the announcement because I was inside a restaurant. Even though the women that was seated beside me told the attendant that I was not on the plane and my carry on was still under my seat her complaint was dismissed. This very same thing just happen to my son on his connecting flight in NY from PBI going to PIT.
    I e-mailed the White House after my experience with the knives and glass, but nothing became of it so I never reported the carry on bag incident and I doubt if the Pilot or flight attendant reported this to USAir Officials.
    Reply to this comment
    by Dublecros July 25, 2007 12:48 PM PDT
    With all this searching of baggage and people at the airports, who is watching the seaports? Less than 1/4 of incoming cargo is searched. Has anyone given any thought to the idea that while we are watching "the front door" someone might try to get through "the back door"?
    Let's face it, you can only beat a dead horse for so long.....or can you go one indefinitely????
    Reply to this comment
    by rushlimpdrug July 25, 2007 1:10 PM PDT
    neenga -ok
    Reply to this comment
    by lars008-2009 July 25, 2007 1:21 PM PDT
    please support our troops

    demonic-rats won't fight the fascist nazi terrorislamic war...

    Incredible! George S Patton's New Speech-Iraq & modern world
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyUX6wV1lBQ
    Reply to this comment
    by prinzowhales July 25, 2007 1:39 PM PDT
    Free Korey Rowe...LOOSE CHANGE, co-producer, seized by the Regime's henchmen. LOOSE CHANGE has been downloaded more than 100 million times...He has served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, was previously taken in for leaving the service and told he was discharged. Now, for political reasons the cowardly dogs in Washington are trying to scuttle his 9-11 work.
    Reply to this comment
    by prinzowhales July 25, 2007 2:33 PM PDT
    Looks like we will be attacked by exploding cheese...if you cut the cheese...is the weapon disabled, or is it activated spreading a deadly invisible cloud of death? Is the threat greater from imported cheese? Is there any sinister relationship between the cheeseheads from the Netherlands and Greenbay, Wisconsin? And small minded people say we don't need a Department of Homeland Security and TSA (Thousands Standing Around) to deal with these very real, very sinister problems.

    Troops Home Now! Free Korey!
    Reply to this comment
    by cmp271 July 25, 2007 5:00 PM PDT
    This is what the terrorists did leading up to any attack. Don't make fun of it, realize it is real and the next thing that happens is going to be really bad. Maybe then you will be glad all this other stuff was found ahead of time. They are describing practice runs with fake bombs.
    Reply to this comment
    by sshard July 25, 2007 5:58 PM PDT
    What is really odd about this story, is the US authorities spoke to the passengers involved, investigated their backgrounds and released them because there was no evidence of a link to a terrorist or criminal organization. Yet now, their baggage with the suspicious contents are making the news, not the people themselves.

    If these were "dry runs" and the passengers were not held by the authorities.....very odd.
    Reply to this comment
    by prinzowhales July 26, 2007 12:01 AM PDT
    Dos' wicked ole al Kaeder...they be prak' tissing dry runs an' not gettin' arres'tad fo' it...but we'uns 'noze theyz up ta no good. We gotz da cheese on 'em, we duz....spokesperson, Department of Homeland Security.


    Reply to this comment
    by dimmbulb July 26, 2007 8:36 PM PDT
    Don't take it lightly, ya'll. Cheese and crackers in your carryon bag is a snack. Cheese, wires, and a detonator is a simulated-bomb dry run.

    I'd still like to hear that these people are in jail despite the fact that TSA "has not linked the men and women carrying the suspicious items to any terrorist or criminal organization."

    I'd say "this little cheese-and-wires or clay-and-wires-and-duct-tape trick makes us about 60% sure you're a terrorist -- and that's enough for us. Hit the lockup. Oops, sorry about that accident in prison"

    We've got to find the middle road between protecting civil liberties and neutralizing the right people. If we can't find the talent to identify the bad actors and the will to put an ice pick in their temples, this country will deserve what it gets.
    Reply to this comment
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