Airlines Begin Slow Crawl To Normalcy

Airport Security To Be Tightened

WASHINGTON -- Airlines returned to the nation's skies with limited service Thursday as airports opened their doors to sparse, anxious crowds amid the tightest security since the Persian Gulf War in 1991.

Meanwhile, the FAA has ordered all U.S. airports swept with K-9 dogs, MSNBC reports.

At Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Sam Hemphill was among a dozen people lined up at a TWA ticket counter. He said he was nervous about flying but was determined to get home to Jacksonville, Fla.

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"Whatever happens, happens," Hemphill said. "You have to keep going. If you stop living life, they've won."

The U.S. aviation system was shut down Tuesday after hijacked planes were crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field. The first scattered flights Thursday came from abroad, carrying passengers who had been diverted to Canada when the terrorists struck.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta announced the nation's airspace reopening as of 11 a.m. EDT Thursday morning. But he also said that airports will reopen and flights will resume on a case-by-case basis, only after more stringent levels of security have been implemented.

Heightened Security

Security measures required by the Federal Aviation Administration include:

Mineta said the air transit system can't be brought back up to speed immediately. He says a phased-in approach "will assure the highest levels of safety."

Mineta said anybody planning to fly should check with their respective airlines, and leave plenty of time to deal with the new security procedures.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said travelers "may experience some inconveniences" but he's asking them to be patient. In his words, "We must do whatever it takes with safety as our highest priority."

When flights resume, they may have to carry along armed sky marshals. In an unprecedented move Tuesday, the FAA ordered all flights grounded after the fiery twin disaster at the World Trade Center.

The FAA allowed only travelers who were diverted from their routes Tuesday to fly on Wednesday, and the rest of the planes have been grounded.

United Grounds Flights Until Friday

United Airlines announced Thursday it will not begin operations with scheduled flights until 8 a.m. CDT on Friday, September 14. At that time, it will begin operating with a significantly reduced schedule and plans to continue operating that reduced schedule through the weekend.

United today continues to work to complete flights that were diverted on September 11, and will also reposition some aircraft in preparation for resumption of service.

Bush To Visit New York

President Bush has said that he will be going to New York tomorrow to show his support for the terror-stricken city.

Bush made the announcement in a phone call with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and New York state Governor George Pataki.

"I weep and mourn with America," spoke President Bush.

The president also thanked them for their efforts, and praised the work of all the police, fire officials and volunteers in the aftermath of the hijacked plane attacks on the World Trade Center.

Bush says "there's a quiet anger in America." And he promised that the perpetrators of the air assaults will be held accountable for their actions.

The president says his resolve is "steady and strong about winning this war that has been declared on America."

Cockpit Conversation Recounted

CNN has obtained a partial transcript of the conversation heard by air traffic controllers via an open microphone in the cockpit of United Flight 93, which crashed in Somerset County, Pa.

The first phrase was "There is a bomb on board."

Then there's a shout: "Get out of here!" followed by the sounds of scuffling. And then again, someone says, "Get out of here."

Then, a voice in broken English, acting as the pilot, says, "There is a bomb on board. This is the captain speaking. Remain in your seat. There's a bomb on board. Stay quiet. We are meeting with their demands. We are returning to the airport."

The plane then headed into Pittsburgh airspace.

An FBI agent said Wednesday that finding Flight 93's black box was the key to investigating its hijacking and fatal crash -- a plan which was apparently related to terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Blood Banks At Capacity

The American Red Cross is continuing to encourage blood donations by appointments, but many independent blood centers across the country say they have plenty of blood right now.

They say so many people have donated blood in the aftermath of Tuesday's devastating terrorist attacks that supplies are at capacity.

Americans are clogging blood donor lines nationwide in an effort to help after terror attacks in New York and Washington.

Officials are asking people to return in a few weeks when supplies could be strained.

In themeantime, they're taking the unusual step of freezing some blood so it won't be wasted.

Blood lasts about 42 days. It's usually in demand and used well before its use-by date.

On Wednesday, President Bush had urged staff to donate blood at a center set up in the Old Executive Office Building across from the White House. Donations were distributed to 86 area hospitals.

But by early evening, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson cautioned would-be donors that blood banks are at capacity, and suggested they wait a few days to donate.

If you'd like to donate blood, call the Red Cross at (800) GIVE-LIFE to schedule a time.

People who need information about donating blood can call (888) BLOOD-88.

New York City hospitals were overwhelmed Tuesday with casualties, and the governor's office put out a call for help.

Nurses and emergency medical technicians who are willing to volunteer their services should call (800) 628-0193.

The number to call for doctors who want to help is (518) 431-7600.

Fed Ensures Banking Stability

The Federal Reserve said that it's making $50 billion available to European banking systems in an effort to ensure stability of the banking system.

The Fed says it is taking the action to "to facilitate the functioning of financial markets and provide liquidity in dollars."

The unusual move followed by one day a joint statement from the world's seven richest countries pledging that their central banks would coordinate activities to make sure that emergency withdrawals did not destabilize any of their banking systems.

Earlier today, the European Central Bank kept its main interest rate unchanged at four and a-quarter percent.

There's been speculation central banks around the world might begin cutting interest rates as they attempt to head off a recession possibly spurred by terrorist attacks on the U.S.

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