WASHINGTON -- U.S. airlines received federal government orders Oct.
17 to thoroughly search every aircraft within 24 hours after
Southwest reported it discovered box-cutters and "other items
intended to simulate a threat" on two of its aircraft Oct. 16.
The items were discovered during maintenance or maintenance
inspections; in at least one of the aircraft, the items were found
in a small plastic bag in a lavatory compartment.
A note in both packages indicated the items were intended to
challenge the Transportation Security Administration
checkpoint-security procedures, Southwest said.
The FBI-led joint terrorism task force is investigating, but FBI
director Robert Mueller told reporters the incidents "did not
appear to be a terrorist event, and there is no imminent
threat."
A TSA spokesman said the TSA is very concerned that the items
may have passed through security, and determining how or if that
happened is part of the investigation.
But he added: "Would I have the slightest doubt about putting my
elderly parents on a flight tomorrow and worrying about security? I
would not."
To contact reporter Andrew Compart, send e-mail to [email protected].