A U.S. Airways flight flying into Boston’s Logan airport from Philadelphia was today pulled off the runway and its luggage searched after security realized a suitcase had not been checked.
Flight 1716 was flying in from Philadelphia Tuesday morning when authorities said they wanted to check a piece of luggage on the aircraft. The luggage was laid out, piece by piece, on the runway.
Though authorities told CBS Boston that the security incident was not related to yesterday’s fatal bombings, it had people on edge as security across the country is tightening and there are dozens of reports of suspicious packages.
A terminal at New York's LaGuardia Airport was also evacuated today following the report of two bottles full of a suspicious liquid.
Grounded: Authorities today searched a U.S. Airways flight from Philadelphia to Boston, laying out the luggage on the runway for inspection; a second plane was sent back to the gate following a passenger's complaint that two men were speaking Arabic
Lock down: A suspicious package reported this morning at New York's LaGuardia airport caused one busy terminal to be evacuated
Taking direction: A family listens to a police officer give them instructions in the security line at LaGuardia airport after it was shut down because of the security scare
Better safe: American Airlines employee Paul Reinold helps to expedite people though the security line at LaGuardia airport
Explanation: An airport employee talks to an elderly woman in a wheelchair to help expedite her though the LaGuardia security line after the airport re-opened
In another instance, a plane scheduled to depart Logan airport was evacuated after a man alerted authorities of two passengers speaking Arabic.
According to myfoxboston.com, an American Airlines flight flying out of Boston to Chicago was diverted this morning after a passenger reported two men speaking Arabic to one another.
Sources tell the site that there were several marathon runners on the flight who showed concern that the two people, who were not sitting together, were speaking the language.
The plane was sent back to the gate and the men were escorted off the aircraft.
On Tuesday, American Airlines was forced to ground its entire fleet due to a glitch in its reservation and booking computer software.
The problem was resolved by late afternoon but the company warned customers that flight delays and cancellations would continue throughout the day.
'It is important to note we see no evidence that today’s technical outage is related to the tragic events in Boston,' the company said in a statement.
In New York, LaGuardia's Central terminal was evacuated around 11am EST. Officials gave the all-clear 15 minutes later, according to NBC New York.
While security swept Central Terminal, passengers waited patiently outside. Once evacuated, everyone hoping to fly had to again go through airport security.
Aftermath: National Guard soldiers guard a roadblock near the scene of yesterday's bombing attack at the Boston Marathon Tuesday
Lock down: The marathon finish line bridge is seen on Boylston Street the day after two explosions went off near the Boston race's finish line
Checkpoint: Miller, a Transit Police dog with the Massachusetts Transportation Authority Explosives Detection Unit, sniffs a bag at Back Bay Station as commuters enter the subway system this morning
Daily commute: A member of the Massachusetts National Guard patrols on an MBTA platform at the Back Bay Station as an investigation continues into the dual bombing
World leaders condemn the Boston Marathon attacks
At a press conference in New York this afternoon, NYPD police commissioner Ray Kelly spoke briefly about the incident at LaGuardia.
‘There was some concern about two bottles that were on a gate,’ he said. ‘They evacuated a terminal and then searched an airplane that went from New York to Logan Airport. It was some substance in two bottles.’
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey did not immediately respond to MailOnline's request for comment.
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Cities across the nation are on high alert following the deadly explosions that rocked Boston yesterday afternoon. The bombs, which went off seconds apart near the finish line of the famous Boston Marathon, were revealed to be home-made and contained in an old pressure cooker.
From New York to Washington, San Diego, and Los Angeles, and across the pond, additional law enforcement officials were dispatched to monitor landmarks. Police also urged the public via social media to report any suspicious packages or activity to authorities.
Standing watch: NYPD officers stand in Times Square during an increase in security
New York's finest: A policeman mans his post at New York's Times Square after security was boosted; other landmarks are also being heavily guarded
Transportation watch: Members of the U.S. Army National Guard Joint Task Force Empire Shield patrol Grand Central Terminal in New York today
If you see something, say something: NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly, left, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, spoke at a news conference Tuesday to tell New Yorkers to keep vigilant
In London, the already-robust security for the funeral of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher was also intensified in the shadow of the deadly attacks Monday.
Much of Boston is operational today, with students returning to classes, shops open for business, and city’s mass transit system, the MBTA, is also running. But, according to the Boston Globe, bags will be searched.
The area near Copley Square remains closed today, including a three-mile area of Boylston Street where the explosions occurred.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said at a press conference Monday that the area remains ‘locked down’ today. ‘I think, in most cases, people are not going to have access to that area.’ This includes those who work and live near the explosion site.
In New York, authorities deployed so-called critical response teams- highly visible patrol units that move in packs with lights and sirens, - along with more than 1,000 counterterrorism officers.
Highly trafficked areas like the Empire State building, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the United Nations and the World Trade Center site were being especially monitored.
To serve and protect: A member of the US Secret Service Uniformed Division walks behind a police line on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House today
Remembering: A flag flies at half mast in front of the U.S. Capitol honoring victims of those killed in the twin explosions near the finish line
Roped off: Secret Service Uniformed Division members stand keep watch on Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, near the White House, this morning
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said yesterday the police department was fully prepared to protect the city.
'Some of the security steps we are taking may be noticeable,' Bloomberg said. 'And others will not be.'
'We're stepping up security at hotels and other prominent locations in the city through deployment of the NYPD's critical response vehicles (CRVs) until more about the explosion is learned,' NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Monday.
In Washington, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano urged the American public 'to be vigilant and to listen to directions from state and local officials.'
The Daily Caller reported that trash cans on and near Capitol Hill will be removed as a precautionary measure.
Shockwaves: An Amtrak Police officer stands guard at the 30th Street Station Tuesday, April 16 in Philadelphia
Keeping watch: An Amtrak Police officer stands guard at the 30th Street Station; yesterday's deadly explosions at the Boston Marathon reverberated on both sides of the Atlantic as cities from Los Angeles to London saw an increase in security
At the White House, the Secret Service expanded its security perimeter after the attacks, shutting down Pennsylvania Avenue and cordoning off the area with yellow police tape.
Several Secret Service patrol cars blocked off entry points, although the White House was not on lockdown and tourists and other onlookers were still allowed in the park across the street.
Speaking late Monday from the White House, President Barack Obama declared that those responsible would 'feel the full weight of justice,' though he urged a nervous nation not to jump to conclusions and pointedly avoided using the words 'terror' or 'terrorism.'
However, top lawmakers declared the deadly incident an act of terrorism, and a White House official said it was being treated that way.
In California, emergency management officials activated their statewide threat assessment system, which was established after the September 11 attacks.
In Seattle, police increased patrols in neighborhoods and around government buildings and other facilities. In Colorado, a statewide alert was sent out advising law enforcement agencies to look out for suspicious activities.
In New Jersey, authorities raised security statewide, calling in off-duty state police officers and deploying bomb units, aviation crews, tactical teams and search and rescue assets as a precaution.
Transit and port officials in New York and New Jersey were on heightened alert at bridges, tunnels and on rail lines between the two states, as well as on New York City's subway system and commuter rails.
Across the pond: Guards and police officers ride down the Mall in London where the finish area of the forthcoming London Marathon is to be located; British police are reviewing security plans for Sunday's London Marathon, the next major international marathon, because of the attack
Response: Two armed police patrol near Parliament Square in London, after it was announced that following the Boston Marathon bombings, security for the upcoming London Marathon, and Lady Thatcher's funeral tomorrow would be reviewed
And at the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, as well as at three major Los Angeles airports, including Los Angeles International, law enforcement officials were in a 'heightened state of vigilance,' with increased patrols, authorities said.
Security was also tightened at sports venues nationwide, though most events were held as planned.
The exceptions were in Boston itself, where Monday night's NHL game between the Bruins and Ottawa Senators was postponed and Tuesday's NBA game between the Celtics and Indiana Pacers was canceled.
Officials announced plans for security reviews of upcoming marathons and road races in cities large and small, including this weekend's marathon in Lansing, Michigan, Nashville's Country Music Marathon on April 27, next month's Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and the San Francisco Marathon in June.
'This changes everything [in New York],' one source told the New York Post.
Inspection: A US Army soldier inspects a corner in Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan
A S.W.A.T officer checks planters on a median in a road next to Tufts Medical Center in Boston
'Everyone’s on high alert. Our marathon was canceled in November. Who knows if that changed someone’s plans?'
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The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the MTA police would increase patrols and bag inspections on the Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road.
The NYPD will give 'additional attention' to the subways as well.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said security is being upped both visibly and in covert ways, NBC reported.
'We have 1,000 members of the NYPD assigned to counter-terrorism duties, and they - along with the entire NYPD and the investments we have made in counter-terrorism infrastructure - are being fully mobilized to protect our city,' he said in a statement.
A garbage can on a subway platform was seen taped up so that nothing could be tossed inside - preventing a bomb from being placed and left behind.
Nationwide: Passenger Kevin Aksacki stands curbside at Los Angeles International Airport amid a heightened security alert on Tuesday in California
Standing guard: A Los Angeles Sheriffs Counter Terrorism Unit deputy patrols Union Station before the start of Los Angeles Dodgers game in Los Angeles on Monday
Stop and search: Amtrak Explosive Detection K-9 officer Kenneth Wolf and his dog Teddy ask a passenger to inspect his luggage before boarding a departing train at Union Station in Los Angeles
NYPD said it was increasing patrols and security at hotels and other prominent locations until it knows more about the terror attack in Boston
Dozens of uniformed NYPD officers set up in the center of New York City's Times Square following news of the Boston Marathon explosions
New York on high alert following Boston blasts
In Washington yesterday, the White House increased security outside the building with Secret Service establishing a broader 'perimeter.'
Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said the measure was taken 'out of an abundance of caution'. He says it is not unusual to expand or contract the security perimeters.
Shortly after the explosions Monday, Secret Service shut down Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House, cordoning off the area with yellow police tape.
Several Secret Service patrol cars also blocked off the entry points to the road.
A Secret Service officer stands guard in front of the White House after the surrounding area was closed
Shine a light: New York loves Boston is beamed on to the side of the Brooklyn Academy of Music building on Monday night