And yet more information being passed:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...atoday/11451620
In spite of intelligence reports this week warning of possible suicide airline hijackings this summer, the TSA remains far from meeting a congressional order to scan 100% of checked bags with high-tech systems.
When lawmakers originally set a deadline of Dec. 31, 2002, for bag screening, they envisioned using explosive-detection scanning machines that function throughout Europe. The devices, similar to medical CAT-scanners, take three-dimensional pictures of bags to spot explosives.
But even after receiving one deadline extension, the TSA has failed to install enough scanners in every major U.S. airport. Instead, it is relying heavily on less-dependable equipment and hand searches. And in spite of the problems that cumbersome system causes, the agency now appears unlikely to meet its new deadline at the end of 2003