terrorist threat

Barcode

Apparently, the police acted now owing to American intervention (not many more details are being reported).

Given that the airport authorities had literally hours to implement the changes, I think they have done as well as can be expected. Of course there were going to be delays and cancellations.

I think it's time to start implementing more security which includes:

i) Physical searches
ii) Multiple x-rays
iii) Scans for explosives (in America, some pax have to walk through a machine)
iv) Profiling (which will never happen owing to the number of people screaming about racism).
v) Magnetic scanning.

I do think if more stringent measures were already in place, perhaps we would not be seeing the current chaos.

trisontana

billy_the_kid wrote:

Another interesting problem, what will happen to the staff and shops that are available airside with things like electrical equipment, ties, foodstuffs etc. I'm assuming these will now have to close with the inevitable loss of jobs, revenue etc.

From the Manchester Airport website :-

"Once past security, everyone can shop normally and take their purchases on board EXCEPT for passengers travelling to the USA. On US flights no liquids can be taken on board - this applies to perfumes, alcohol, drinks and anything with liquid content."

lazy&indebt

Barcode wrote:

iv) Profiling (which will never happen owing to the number of people screaming about racism).

Sorry to be dumb but what does this entail? What does it have to do with being racist?

Barcode

Some feel that social profiling is tantamount to racism since it singles a certain demographic out, namely, young, Muslim, males. I just think it's reasonable given that the vast majority of airline-related terror incidents have been plotted by ... young, Muslim, males.

I would be advocating the same if it applied to white, young, single, female travellers (i.e. me). I might find it an irritation, but I would recognise it is in the interest of security.

billy_the_kid_2

Anyone like to speculate on how many of the 24 detainees are completely innocent and the Police finding nothing in their houses?

lazy&indebt

Barcode wrote:

Some feel that social profiling is tantamount to racism since it singles a certain demographic out, namely, young, Muslim, males. I just think it's reasonable given that the vast majority of airline-related terror incidents have been plotted by ... young, Muslim, males.

I would be advocating the same if it applied to white, young, single, female travellers (i.e. me). I might find it an irritation, but I would recognise it is in the interest of security.

Completely agree with you there barcode. Surely it's more important in the interests of safety (given the attempts on 'mass destruction on an unimaginable scale') to take these sort of precautions and not worry about being 'politically correct'
We aren't saying that all young, Muslim males are terrorists but it's reasonable to suggest that the vast majority of terrorists are young, Muslim males!

lazy&indebt

billy_the_kid wrote:

Anyone like to speculate on how many of the 24 detainees are completely innocent and the Police finding nothing in their houses?

Has their been any news or statements released on the suspects? All i have heard is there were some arrests in London and also Birmingham. It makes me wonder how they manage to keep foiling plots like these? And also, how many attempts like this have been stopped that the public haven't been made aware of? I'd say quite a few! Don't want to sound cynical but is it just a matter of time before one slips through the net?

overworked_underpaid

lazy&indebt wrote:

I suppose they are adopting a 'you can't be too careful' approach! Do you think if they had taken these measures before 911 that it would've prevented the diaster from happening?

No, it would not have prevented 9/11. I believe that the security services can be as careful as they want but there will always be a loophole of some sort that will allow evil people to carry our these atrocities.

overworked_underpaid

billy_the_kid wrote:

Anyone like to speculate on how many of the 24 detainees are completely innocent and the Police finding nothing in their houses?

I'm not saying that they are all innocent, but I'm sure that some will be innocent and their lives will have been ruined due to the bad press and media interrogation they receive.

billy_the_kid_2

This could also be a massive diversion, AlQueada leaks information on bogus plots and personel, knowing that all resources are focused on airtravel and airpots only to hit somewhere else.