HSD: Al Qaeda May Try To Hijack More Suicide Jets

Could it be that Osama bin Laden, his followers and his allies are game to try it again? The Department of Homeland Security now confirms that it's warned airlines to be on the lookout for more hijackers who might try to turn more jetliners into more guided suicide weapons.

That ominous, but vague warning comes after the interrogation of at least one al Qaeda detainee. The information upon which the warning is based was corroborated by other intelligence sources, such as electronic intercepts. The "Washington Post" reports the intelligence gathered points to another 9/11-style series of attacks, where terrorists use hijacked aircraft to, as HSD puts it, "further their goals."

"The U.S. intelligence community has received information related to al Qaeda's continued interest in using commercial aviation here in the United States and abroad to further their cause," said Department of Homeland Security spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

"The Department of Homeland Security issued an advisory regarding this information over the weekend to the appropriate airline and security personnel."

Warning Issued To Airlines

 Johndroe confirmed that the warning had been issued to law enforcement and to airlines. That could mean longer lines and more delays at TSA checkpoints.

"We routinely provide intelligence information to the private sector, and state and local law enforcement, so that they may be informed and take any necessary precautions," Johndroe said.

"Our aviation security has been dramatically strengthened since Sept. 11 with the introduction of reinforced cockpit doors, federal air marshals and federal baggage screeners."

This can't be seen as good news for airlines, still reeling after the 9/11 attacks and the war in Iraq. Since the terror attacks on New York and Washington, the airlines have lost more than $18 billion. This is just what the industry didn't need.

Still, Johndroe indicated the terror threat assessment level won't be raised because of this information -- at least, not right now. The terror threat level is at "yellow," or "elevated." Look for it to stay that way.

[Note: it took a whole cabinet-level department to figure this out --ed.]

FMI: www.dhs.gov