9/11 Terrorists Reported to Airport Officials before Attacks

911 Terrorists Reported to Airport Officials before Attacks

The words “we will never forget,” have remained the truth, as each year, since 9/11/2001, people gather in remembrance of everyone affected by the tragedy of senseless plane crashes. As the story developed live, years ago, this tragedy was labeled as a terrorist attack on America, and it’s sad to say, “hindsight is 20/20.”

Recently-released, eye-witness accounts have surfaced, revealing some terrifying discoveries: at least three people spotted al Qaeda hijackers casing security checkpoints at Boston’s Logan Airport months before the 9/11 incident. The eye witnesses even spoke up, but to their dismay, they were ignored. 9/11 Terrorists Reported to Airport Officials before Attacks

One of these witnesses, Stephen J. Wallace, a 17-year American Airlines technician, remembers the morning of May 11, 2001 vividly as he alerted Logan authorities that two men – one of whom was identified as Mohamed Atta – were acting suspiciously outside the main security checkpoint. Wallace said that one man was videotaping and taking photos of a flight boarding to Washington, D.C. and the checkpoint from about 25 feet away, while the other man was speaking loudly in Arabic on his cellphone. Wallace reported that this behavior lasted for at least 45 minutes.

Wallace approached the two men, pointing to a display of prohibited items and asked them if their bags contained any of this “stuff.” In response, the men grabbed their belongings and raced to another checkpoint. Wallace pursued them, alerting several authorities during the chase. However, authorities did nothing, even though they had the authority to investigate anybody. Two months prior to this incident federal authorities issued an airline advisory that al Qaeda terrorists are known to conduct surveillance before an attack.

The reality is that two terrorist hijackers were allowed to go through airport security without being stopped and asked for their names, tickets, driver’s license or passport, opening their bags or patting them down.

Could at least part of te 9/11 tragedy been prevented? It’s eerie to consider, isn’t it?

(Article image from worldmag.com and slide show image from Larry Bruce / Shutterstock.com)

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings. 3