Stringent measures ordered at US airports

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered several stringent measures Wednesday to make the nation's airports and skies safer, while allowing limited air traffic to resume late in the day.

Flights diverted after Tuesday's terrorist attacks flew to their original destinations Wednesday, but the FAA grounded all other commercial air traffic for a second straight day.

Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta said the ban would be in effect until further notice and until officials assess airports' progress in implementing more stringent security guidelines.

The restrictions affect everything from curbside check-ins to a ban on knives in airport concourses to an increased security presence, both covert and overt.

In addition, the Justice Department said Wednesday night it was considering placing armed federal "skymarshals" on some commercial airline flights for the first time in more than 25 years.

The Customs Service, which says it expects to supply 400 agents to more than a dozen major airports, headed the skymarshals program from 1970 to 1973.

President Nixon ordered the armed federal agents to fly aboard random flights to deter hijackers until a system of magnetometers was in place at all airports.

Meanwhile, the State Department re-issued a worldwide warning Wednesday to Americans about traveling abroad -- the same caution in effect since last year's October 12 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.

Those who do fly, nationally or internationally, will encounter several new scenes and experiences at the airport, per the new FAA regulations.

Among the restrictions:

* A total ban on knives of any material. Previously, knives with blades shorter than four inches had been allowed.

* Curbside and off-airport check-ins will be eliminated.

* The use of federal air marshals, common in the early 1970s during a spate of hijackings, will be stepped up both on the ground and, possibly, in the air.

* More officers will be on duty at the nation's airports.

* There will be more physical checks on passengers.

* All but ticketed passengers will be prohibited from proceeding past airport metal detectors.

* Airport security screeners will be required to meet higher standards, and the contractors who supply the security personnel will be required to report to the FAA.

Senior officials said that commercial air traffic will be phased back in Thursday, and will not return to a normal level until Thursday evening at the earliest.