Heightened security measures at UK airports - latest developments
 

Not sure if this news has reached the US, but we've had a serious warning about a terrorist attack on the scale of 9/11, and troops and heavily armed police have been drafted into major UK airports, and are also checking areas around flight paths into and out of Heathrow. So for anyone travelling to the UK in the next few days, you may experience delays.<BR><BR>For information on latest developments, check out the British Airport Authority reports on:<BR>http://www.baa.co.uk/doc/dc3286ae91a04ca380256cca0031e194_frame.html<BR><BR >Also http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2751361.stm<BR><BR>Apparently the Home Secretary and Tony Blair considered closing Heathrow, but have decided they can't give in to terrorism. The threat is said to coincide with the end of a Muslim religious festival.<BR><BR>

Thanks, Kate. I'm scheduled to arrive at Heathrow next week. After all these years of traveling to London, for the first time I'm really thinking I should change plans. <BR><BR>How are others feeling about this?

<BR>Yes, we're well aware of the threats here in New York. The statements yesterday by OBL encouraged more &quot;martyrdom operations&quot;, the same term used to describe 9-11. Authorities here are telling people to stock up on water and canned goods and have heavy duty tape and sheets available. Not pretty.

Jacko, apparently this is a &quot;specific threat&quot; that the authorities have received, and the tanks started rolling into Heathrow hours before Bin Laden's broadcast. The UK has had thousands of threats in recent months, but they seem to be taking this one particularly seriously.

Jacko- At the risk of sounding stupid, I have to ask: why are the authorities telling the public to stock up on heavy duty tape and sheets?

The CIA believes the attack may be in the form of a &quot;dirty bomb.&quot; Basically, a crude nuclear weapon that is designed to spread radiation over a compact area. <BR><BR>The duct tape and plastic sheeting may help diminish the level of radiation in a building/home that would be caused by the wind.<BR><BR>If you are in the immediate area, in won't help. If you are in the path of the wind, it may provide some benefit.

Well Kate thanks for that news. We are leaving tonight from Orlando flying into London and then on to Manchester. We will be prepared for delays but hopefully don't miss our flight to Manchester. We only have a 50 minute layover. Thanks. Carole