Top Stories

by Michele Gillen
MIAMI (CBS4 News) ― Travelers through South Florida airports will see changes in security procedures, including items allowed to be carried on airplanes, following revelations of a terrorist plot in Great Britain which targeted airliners bound to the US, including at least one US airliner flight bound to Miami, according to CBS News sources.

Authorities announced Wednesday that they arrested 24 out of a possible 50 suspects in a plot to blow up ten aircraft heading from Britain to the US. Officials say the terrorists planned to use liquid explosives disguised as beverages and other common products.

The national threat level has been placed at Red, the highest level, for flights traveling from the UK to the US, including flights bound for Miami International Airport. Flights to and from other places have been placed at Orange, or High risk of terrorist attacks. So far no bombs were found on aircraft, and all South Florida airports are open under increased security.

As a precaution, US officials banned passengers from carrying nearly all liquids and gels in the passenger cabin of flights. Officials ordered those flying to Britain not to carry laptop computers, cell phones and i-Pods.

CBS4's Gary Nelson reported that as of Saturday at MIA, The Department Of Homeland Security will enhance secondary screenings and searches beyond initial airport check-ins. The screenings will reportedly be done prior to boarding aircrafts. It's not known how long all of these enhanced security measures will be in place.

Travelers arriving at South Florida airports may notice increased police presence and more comprehensive questioning at customs and immigrations checkpoints. Passengers leaving on flights today will see longer lines, and more comprehensive security checks.

Certain items have been temporarily banned in carry-on baggage, including all liquids, hair gel, and lotions. In addition, any other container used to carry liquid will have to be left in checked luggage.

Officials at South Florida airports echoed warnings from US Homeland Security to leave such items out of your carry-on baggage before leaving home. Necessary liquids, such as medicine and baby formula, will be examined at checkpoints and may be allowed, but the extra checking will delay the security process.

Concourses C and D at Miami International are reporting check-in delays, as is Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. TSA officials say flights will be traveling as scheduled, but they are urging flyers to allow extra time when arriving at airports. Passengers told CBS4 news that they have not objected to the additional security measures.

"It's better that they're strict," said one traveler leaving on a flight from Miami International Airport. "We don't mind them being more strict, so we can be safer on the flight."

A passenger at MIA flying back to Belize says he was worried because he was bringing a large amount of mouthwash and toothpaste to his father, a dentist there.

One Miami-Dade County police Detective says he normally works in plain clothes at MIA but was asked to dress in uniform as he rides his bicycle up and down the packed terminal.

Passengers say they had items removed from bags, including toothpaste.

"They took toothpaste, perfume, everything else out of our bags, it's crazy, no water, we drank all our water and threw away the bottles," one traveler told CBS4.

Airline officials at check-in lines were going through those lines, urging people to check their bags for banned items before going through security. Those items can be placed in checked baggage, but if travelers made it to security without heeding the warnings, those items were being confiscated.

"They told us no liquids, no eyeliner, lip gloss, nothing of toiletries at all," another passenger said. "You have to put everything in your luggage. Nothing in your carry-on can be liquid at all."

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)