NBC News – by PETE WILLIAMS AND ROBERT WINDREM
The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday told airlines about a potential new shoe-bomb threat and urged them to pay extra attention to flights from overseas into the United States.
Several officials familiar with the advisory told NBC News that “very recent intelligence” considered credible warns of possible attempts to attack passenger jets using explosives concealed in shoes.
As a result, officials say, airlines will be playing extra attention to passenger shoes on flights to the US from overseas. Those passengers may also experience increased scrutiny in pat downs and full-body screening.
The bulletin to airlines urges screeners to use the explosive trace detection swabs to check shoes that are worn and in carry-on bags.
DAVE THOMPSON / PA WIRE/PRESS ASSOCIATION IMAGES FILEThe officials say the threat information was not specific to any particular airline, country, or time.
There is no indication of a specific plot, they say.
But after assessing the information, the Department of Homeland Security advised airlines earlier Wednesday of the possible threat and urged greater security scrutiny on U.S.-bound flights.
One official described the level of concern over this new information as moderate.
“It’s a reminder that we are under constant threat and an advisory to airlines be on their A game,” said another official familiar with the threat intelligence.
The threat information is unrelated to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, several officials said.
“Out of an abundance of caution, DHS regularly shares relevant information with domestic and international partners about relevant threat information as we work to meet our mission of keeping the traveling public safe,” the Department said in response to a question from NBC News. “These types of regular communications are part of that important priority.
“Our security apparatus includes a number of measures, both seen and unseen, informed by the latest intelligence and as always DHS continue to adjust security measures to fit an ever evolving threat environment.”
British national Richard Reid — the “Shoe Bomber” — first raised the specter of such threats just three months after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks when he attempted to ignite bombs hidden in his sneakers on a Paris-to-Miami flight.
Reid was subdued by passengers and crew. He pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in 2002 and is now serving a life sentence at a maximum security federal prison in Florence, Colo.
Since the botched attack, federal security officials have screened the shoes of most airline passengers at security checkpoints.
— NBC News’ Jon Dienst and Jay Blackman contributed to this report
Pete Williams is an NBC News correspondent based in Washington, D.C. He has been covering the Justice Department and the U.S. Supreme Court since March 1993. Williams was also a key reporter on the Microsoft anti-trust trial and Judge Jackson’s decision.
:Let’s see now we have a crotch bomber, boob threat, shoe bomb, toothpaste, baby formula and applesauce. Is it me or is this getting out of hand. If you will remember the crotch bomber. He was kinda drugged and did not have a passport. However, he was escorted on an airplane in Amsterdam. by a government agent. This was witnessed by an American lawyer named Kurt Haskell. The convoluted story given the media was intended to keep the terrorist threat going to get the body scanners into the airport. It did get reported on the alternative media and it became a bazzar scam.
Enough already we are sick and tired of the whole thing. You agents have overplayed the terrorism threat and it isn’t working anymore. It’s time to move on and get a life. The only terrorists we have had to deal with here and abroad are domestic created freaks.
“Wolf, wolf, wolf!
The artificial limb bomber, the breast implant bomber, the diaper bomber, the tampon bomber, yadda, yadda, yadda. Have no fear! The TSA is here to protect you from the Boogie Man! (and the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, etc.)
It borders on the ridiculous; they really believe we have been dumbed down. In reality I think they have. My favorite: “doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result is INSANITY!”
Fear porn. Remember the woman who flew from Florida to Boston and forgot she had her gun in her purse(she was a ccw holder)? Her gun went through TSA inspection and they missed it. Now they expect you to believe that they found this? The TSA couldn’t find a hooker in a house of ill repute if they fell on one going through the door. Your safety rests with you and you alone to be aware of your surroundings and what’s happening around you. You can’t depend on the keystone cop’s to do it.