The Homeland Security Department has told airlines to be on the lookout for passengers trying to smuggle explosives in their shoes aboard flights headed to the United States, more than 12 years after Richard Reid tried to bring down a plane with a shoe bomb.
It’s the second time in less than three weeks that the government has issued a warning about possible attempts to bring explosives on a commercial jetliner.
The alert was based on new intelligence indicating that terrorists may try to use a shoe bomb to blow up a U.S.-bound jetliner, said two law enforcement officials who described the bulletin on the condition of anonymity.
Officials said the threat was not specific to a particular airline, flight, country or time. It was not related to the Winter Olympics underway in Sochi, Russia.
The alert was issued “out of an abundance of caution,” said a homeland security official.
Airport screeners at international airports were instructed to step up scrutiny of passengers boarding flights for the United States.
Screeners will increase uses of swabs that can detect traces of explosive powder on shoes, bags and hands. They also are likely to pull aside more passengers for pat-downs and full-body screening, officials said.
Earlier this month, Homeland Security warned airlines with flights to Russia to be on the lookout for explosive devices possibly hidden inside toothpaste.
The Transportation Security Administration then banned passengers from bringing any liquids in their carry-on luggage on nonstop flights from the U.S. to Russia. That warning became public just days before the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.
Air passengers in the United States have had to take off their shoes at airport security checkpoints since shortly after Reid tried to ignite explosives hidden in his shoes on a Miami-bound flight in late 2001. Reid pleaded guilty to terrorism charges and is serving a life sentence.
The traveling public has grown increasingly impatient with expanding security checks at airports.
TSA in recent years has changed some security procedures to allow young children and passengers 75 and older to keep their shoes on. The security agency has also launched a fee-based program that allows willing travelers to submit to background checks and avoid having to remove their shoes, jackets and small amounts of liquids packed in carry-on luggage.
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