Airports Heighten Security in Wake of U.K. Threats

July 2, 2006— -- Travelers can expect longer lines at security checks, random vehicle searches, and an increased presence of law enforcement officers at the nation's airports this week in light of the recently attempted terrorist attacks roiling Britain.

Officials at airports across the country told ABC News that security measures are being stepped up in ways both visible to the public, including more K-9 units and uniformed officers patrolling terminals, and in ways less visible like cargo screenings and the use of plain-clothes agents.

Officials said that security would normally be increased around the Fourth of July holiday and noted that although the "national threat advisory" remains at code yellow or "elevated," airports have been at code orange or "high," since last August.

Michael Chertoff, secretary of Homeland Security, told ABC's "Good Morning America" that while there is no "specific credible information about an attack directed against the United States," authorities have nonetheless "taken some steps to implement pre-existing plans to increase security at our airports and our mass transit and other transportation centers."

"That's partly a reflection of what happened over the last few days," he said, referring to the recent events in the U.K, including a botched car bombing at the Glasgow airport in Scotland over the weekend. "It's partly a recognition of the fact that during the heavy travel, there will be crowds and we want to be prudent and take some extra precautions. But there is no specific threat that we're aware of at this point."

On Saturday two men -- one Jordanian, the other Iraqi -- were arrested in Glasgow, Scotland when they tried to drive a flaming Jeep Cherokee laden with gasoline canisters into the airport there. Six more people have since been arrested for suspected involvement in Saturday's attack and two foiled car bombs found in London on Friday.

As a result, security officials both at U.S. airports and at the Transportation Security Administration said new attention was being focused on the outside of the airport and in areas with vehicle traffic.