We have a son stationed in England. Do you have any status of US military personnel in England?

Brian, happy travels in Europe. Knowing how absurdly restrictive and bottlenecked flying has now become in the US, perhaps you or someone at NBC could test a “state of transportation” theory of mine and shoot the story upon your return.

The theory: High-speed rail vs. airplane; Doorstep-to-doorstep and including necessary ground transportation, is a trip via high-speed rail between 30 Rock and the NBC Washington bureau (maybe MSNBC’s Hardball bureau near Union Station, if you need to cheat) comparable to, if not faster than, via air? Perhaps a trip on a high-speed TGV or Eurostar while in Europe may pique your interest.

Aside from the flight, you typically must add 2 to 3 hours for longer security checks, flight delays, check-in, baggage claim, and ground transportation to get to a final destination. That might make for 4 hours or more by air, depending on whether it’s a downtown or suburb destination. But an Acela train (in its present condition) goes from NYC’s Penn Station to DC’s Union Station in under 3 hours. It depends on whether the location advantage of rail will make them comparable.

Also knowing that trains can’t be flown into buildings, regional travel might be more safely served by high-speed rail if it can ever get more political momentum.

The real question is when will America make regional high-speed rail a higher priority for communities, such as the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor connecting Washington to Atlanta, or California’s proposed high speed rail connecting Sacramento and San Diego? Are we so addicted to oil that we can only add lanes to highways or add runways to airports? I look forward to the day that my family can board a high-speed train in downtown Charlotte and arrive in downtown Washington or midtown Manhattan, even if it’s just a couple hours longer than flying. But at this rate, it doesn’t seem possible in the next 20 years and we’ll continue to be at the mercy of congested highways and skyways.

Care to test the theory somehow? Thanks in either case, and have a pint while in London.

I find Greg's (from Minneapolis) comments most interesting particularly in view of the remark made by Dick Cheney that he's "more optimistic about the outcome on November 7." I hate to be a cynic but I find the timing of these episodes most disturbing. We can only live in hope that the Brits (great work) will continue with their wonderful intelligence and that we will not make political hay of this.

Brian, I'm so sorry that your vacation has been interrupted! But ... thank you, as always, for "being there" for us.

I wish we did not have to grapple with these 13th century minds who seem so determined to destroy the progress that took the Western world 9 centuries to achieve. But we do have to deal with them, and thank goodness for the hard work of the intelligence organizations that uncovered this pending disaster.

Godspeed to all on your journeys....

Brian, Please tell the American people to pray and thank the Airline crews who lay their lives on the line in situations such as today. My husband said before he left on his flight for the day. It has to be the perfect flight for everyone to experience and to feel that my crew knows and will protect them when a castrophe may surface! We take pride for and love the work we do for all of you. God Speed!

Brian,

I hope your wife is as understanding as everyone else has been when it comes to placing work or family. We all talk about being compassionate towards our fellow man, but at the expense of ones' own family? When does work (no matter what it may be) be placed over family? Other people can report the news, however, are you willing to be replaced when it comes to family?

Until people really become aware of their surroundings, travel, etc. and report any action deemed odd, we won't be safe at any time! The countries who have been constantly bombarded are very much aware of many tactics used, as don't pick up a discarded bulging bag, or if someone leaves a package on a bus, you report it--not open it! I think the media could help by listing things to be aware of so the general public can help avoid bombings. And, thanks, Britain for being so watchful.

As the stste of the nation has changed over the past four plus years I am indeed saddened by the series of events over the past day. These terrorists are indeed entrenched and ready to continue their 'war', one where ideologies of the 'Old' ad 'New' come head to head. We call then fundamentalists, and they call us 'evil'.

What interested me the most, and also saddened, was Homeland Security's quick response to this threat. Indeed, these weapons have always been there, and the British were vigilent in the wake of their own attacks last year. But now, I fear HS's blanket restriction of all liquids, and British Airway's restriction on computers and PDAs has, as one blogger wrote, chipped away at the freedoms we hold dear. Our two nations hold freedom in high regard, and yet the belt tightens as we react to these threats. We change our way of life to adapt to the treats, while those who threaten go about thier daily life.

We do need to be vigilent, for it is a 'war' one which is new to all. But we must also look back and find the reasons we came to this country. Freedom from tyrrany, freedom of speech and religion. With each reaction, we are in danger of forgetting.

I fly a lot, and must continually be drinking water. I get 'very dehydrated' and sick without this measure. Is our gov't going to make us sick, by not allowing water on the plane? If so, that's ridiculous! At least allow those of us who dehydrate very easily do what the moms can do; Drink from our water bottles in front of TSA guys. "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself." FDR "Paranoia will destroy ya." Ozzie. This is also 'very' suspicious timing for this bust. We'll talk about that later...

I went to bed last night at 12 am Los Angeles time hearing about this thwarted attack. I awoke hours later to see how this has affected domestic travel too. As an avid traveler, I am saddened to see how once again air travel has taken a turn for the worse. I could complain about not using my I-Pod or having to consume fine bottles of French wine PRIOR to boarding my international flight, but I am grateful that this evil plan has been exposed. Kudos to the UK for being vigilant.

For those who take the time to write in and "bash" Brian & his staff a bit? Well... here is a Man who decided keeping us informed as to our peace of mind & safety was a bit more precident than his own family vacation... THANK YOU BRIAN! Let's hope the Gentleman who had to switch to ABC the other night approves of your wardrobe this evening, vacation scrubbed and all!

I almost wonder if they've succeeded simply because of the fact that everytime something like this happens, it changes our lives for good - chipping off a piece of our everyday freedom and security, however small. Each event leaves a scar on our culture that cannot be mended until every single one of these people is brought to justice.

It's cause and effect; right now they're the cause and we're the effect. We need to end this NOW. Thank God the Brits foiled this one, but we may not be so lucky next time...

By looking at these comments I am saddened that extremists and fear mongers on all sides have succeeded in creating fear and hatred. When will everyone wake up and realize that all we need is respecting other human beings regardless of their race, nationality or religion. It is only this kind of mutual respect that can create a lasting peace. When will we realize that Bombs (be they in the form of a U.S. made missiles that Israel uses or a home made device a lunatic straps to himself) are not the answer?
All we need is what Rabi Hillel said in his earlier version of the Golden Rule: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man".

I understand that this kind of plot has happened before in 1994-95. How come yesterday and the weeks and months before today we were allowed to carry liquids on board a plane? How come Homeland Security is so sharp now after the fact.

Brian - Thank you for taking time to write on the blog today. Just hearing information from someone we all trust and feel we know as a friend will help those who are planning to travel or have friends and family who are doing so.
Joan Chapman, Cheshire CT.

How sad for the world and for the terrorists too. I cannot imagine for an instant walking in their shoes, that they feel such hatred and lack of respect for any life, including their own. They have changed the course of all of our lives forever. I do agree that this has become a "World War" unlike anything we have experienced before. They have accomplished their mission to spread "Fear" into the hearts of mankind, which is NOTHING to be proud of at all. I would be ashamed, but that is the difference... I guess we cannot understand them just as they would not understand us. Sad...

I find the timing of this 'discovery' most disturbing. Perhaps even 'convenient' for some. The current powers that be here in the US wave and shake the ghosts and bones of events past as a means to conjure fear; fear that they hope will drive voters to cling to them for the safety and protection only THEY can provide, when upcoming elections threaten to strip them of their power to scare. The fear mongers recently attacked those who would attempt to bring an end to our seemingly endless occupation of another country, stating that pulling out would only result in attacks against the US and its interests. Then, on cue, the amazing 'discovery' of a plot to purportedly terrorize planes in the UK. Of course, once again the usual suspect is paraded before us as the culprit behind the plot. Our Favorite Ghost, Al Queda.

In a nation where we were raised to fear no one, we are now being warned to fear a hidden enemy who seems to appear at the beck and call of those who are in power. As my daughter once exclaimed while watching a puppet show: "Daddy, if you look real close you can see the strings"... If only she knew how true that was for the world at large. At least for some of us.

I am also sorry that Brian's trip to the beautiful Scotland had to be interrupted. Though that is the price of being the best Anchor on the news. These new restrictions are going to be a permanent part of travel I am afraid, since there really is nothing the authorities can do. Even if they get the best equipment, since the different ingredients by themself are innocent enough that there would be little to set off any alarm bells in the future. I must interject one thing regarding Mr. Williams wardrobe. I think he is well dressed, and always professional. Plus I enjoy his wry wit. From an aspiring journalist.

It's a shame there's so much hatred in the world today. The Bush administration is feeding on it and the media spreads the feces across the country.

Remember how everyone freaked out about the security restrictions four and one half years ago? I think that once we are able to get into a routine with the new restrictions; and once everyone becomes familiar with coming to the airport two hours early, wearing flip flops instead of shoes to avoid the time and hassle of untying laces and then retying laces of shoes; and all of the other tedious tasks it requires to board a plane. We will move along our merry way and enjoy our trips, as we did, before we became the world's bullseye for all of its sociological, economical, religious and whatever other problems. After all, if they need our help, we will put ourselves out in the open, to take all of the war-mongering anger and have our planes and people targeted by all those that hate our lifestyle; to save those that the UN is too afraid to help.

Hooray for the UK. They did a great job on thwarting the terrorist attacks! It seems like that the US is the only one’s busting the terrorists before they attack. Thanks UK for saving thousands of UK and American civilians! We can’t let the terrorists win. Keep up the great work.

The comment about, "flying naked with no luggage, may not solve it. . . ", is a good one. Basically we can't prevent every single type of incident so how far do we want to go trying to prevent certain ones. Authorities sometimes react quickly to appease fears but we may need to deal with some hard realities, such as, we really are living in different times and no amount of money can change that.

I was in England in June and was very aware that these are dangerous times. I was afraid, but determined that I cannot live in fear. Life must go on. It is sad that these people feel their mission is to destroy innocent people and try and destroy our freedom. They will not win.

I'm not clear on something and I do not mean to oversimplify the situation with my question, but here goes: I read that explosives can be detected in liquids with the screening process for checked luggage. Why can't we simply have this sort of device for ALL carry-on items? -- put a bottle of soda through the detector & security immediately knows if it's soda or nitrogylcerin, etc???

Brian, sorry your family vacation was ruined :)

I'd like to see some stories on the news regarding: how do we reasonably deal with an unreasonable foe? I can't help thinking that this week in 1945 we dropped 2 atomic bombs on Japan, cruel act for sure, but it sure ended that war in a hurry. It has been almost 5 years since 9/11, how much longer are we as Americans going to put up with these terror threats, and what is going to happen to the already crippled airline industry?