Boston Area News

BOSTON (CBS4) ― Governor Mitt Romney has activated the National Guard to help with security at Logan Airport for the first time since the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

The security alert was raised at Logan and airports around the nation early Thursday after investigators in Great Britain said they broke up a terrorist plot to blow up airplanes from London to the United States.

Romney said there was no indication that any of the flights were heading to Logan. He said hundreds of National Guard personnel will be activated to provide "visible deterrence" and assist in security gate checks.

There are seven flights daily between Logan and Great Britain -- three American Airlines, three British Airways and one Virgin Atlantic.

CBS News is reporting that the alleged terror plot targeted three American-based airlines in England – American, United, and Continental. The flights were said to be heading to New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Several flights were canceled to and from Boston and most flights experienced some delays while airport security enforced stiffer regulations. Travelers should arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and two-and-a-half to three hours before international flights.

Homeland Security issued this statement on what you can expect at any airport starting Thursday:

"No liquids or gels of any kind will be permitted in carry-on baggage. Such items must be in checked baggage. This includes all beverages, shampoo, sun tan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

"Exceptions: baby formula and medicines, which must be presented for inspection at the checkpoint."

"DHS has also mandated that all flights from the UK transmit passenger manifest information for intensive screening prior to departure from the gate. In addition, passengers on these flights and all other international flights will be subject to heightened inspection upon arrival in the U.S."

Passengers were still allowed to bring laptops, pagers and other personal items, but Romney warned departing international travelers they may not be able to bring the same items back to the United States because of a ban on carry-ons in effect at London's Heathrow Airport.

Phil Orlandella, spokesman for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which runs Logan, said passengers were given flyers with the new regulations as the airport raised its security level to orange -- one below the top level of red.

Massachusetts State Police had already increased patrols at Logan, using bomb-sniffing dogs and trying to be more visible.

"It's still safe to fly. At the same time everyone should be aware and be on alert for people who are acting out of the ordinary," said Sgt. Steven Hines, who carried an MP-5 machine gun on his patrol.

"I think sometimes people get complacent and they forget and think the threat isn't there anymore," Hines said. "As you heard the threat is there."

Helen Gault, 53, of Bedford, arrived at Logan early Thursday for a trip to London with her husband, 15-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter only to find out their flight had been canceled. They were seeking tickets to try to fly out Friday.

"You just keep hoping we'll get on the plane and all will be well," Gault said.

Throngs of passengers packed Terminal B, home to American Airlines, extending into hallways and past the restrooms. Airline workers tried to direct some to self-service kiosks to ease the delays.

The alert only affects airlines, but the MBTA said it is increasing security on its Silver Line buses. Each one headed to Logan Airport will be stopped and bomb sniffing dogs will sweep it before the bus heads through the Ted Williams tunnel.

(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)