This is off topic, but I know several people here that would be interested in this story.

Chicago Tribune

O'Hare terminal reopened after 2-hour shutdown

By Evan Osnos and James Janega Tribune Staff Writers August 26, 1999

Thousands of passengers evacuated from O'Hare International Airport by United Airlines' security were allowed back inside this evening, more than two hours after a man carrying a tan canvas bag ran past security guards and disappeared in a concourse.

The evacuation led to dozens of canceled and delayed flights at O'Hare and elsewhere. Airline officials said it would be hours before flights resumed anything resembling a normal schedule.

Though the passengers were allowed to return to Terminal 1, it did not appear the man had been found.

During the evacuation, security officials swept airline grounds and some 50 outgoing flights for the man, who had run up a "down" stairway past a security checkpoint around 3 p.m., according to spokesman Joe Hopkins.

The man then "disappeared into the crowd," Hopkins said.

The decision to evacuate was made by United, said Department of Aviation spokesman Dan Curtain, leading to the evacuation of Terminal 1, concourses B and C.

United security began clearing the terminal shortly after that, as well as emptying all outbound flights sitting at the terminal's gates, Hopkins said.

"We've also got other flights coming to O'Hare to land that won't have a place to go," he added.

The evacuation and subsequent search, which has not resulted in any arrests, spurred varying reactions from those familiar with the aviation industry and security at O'Hare, as well as from passengers at the airport.

"Police are pretty used to dealing with these little security matters," said a former O'Hare employee, who added that he'd never heard of a terminal being shut in the process.

Travelers ushered first from United's Concourse C to Concourse B, and from the then-crowded concourse to the curb outside, said passengers did not seem alarmed. Nevertheless, they said, the law enforcement reaction to the possible threat appeared to be vigorous.

Plainclothes police officers and FBI agents herded passengers from the terminal, while employees working in airport restaurants and kiosks joined the sea of refugee travelers outside.

snip, more @ link + photo & audio

-- Deborah (infowars@yahoo.com), August 26, 1999

Answers

Good move United!

""Police are pretty used to dealing with these little security matters," said a former O'Hare employee, who added that he'd never heard of a terminal being shut in the process."

I wonder how this former employee would react at the discovery of a suitcase nuke on one of those "little matters".

-- Chris (%$^&^@pond.com), August 26, 1999.

The "2 hour shutdown" caused my last client of the night to be 4 hours late. Hois comment was that at one time they had 10,000 people on the sidewalk.....

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), August 27, 1999.

Chris & Chuck,

I know, I really loved the 'little matters' comment. 27,000 passengers were affected. 120 flights cancelled at the worlds busiest airport. Little matter.

Also, this person they were chasing is gone.

I really have a problem with security at O'Hare for reasons I'm simply not willing to state in a public forum. Let's just say there are holes.

When I heard about this story I said to Hubby 'well, the military is going on alert Sept 1, Cohen made that statement about terrorisim/military , now the dog is going to be wagged.'

Time will tell.

-- Deborah (infowars@yahoo.com), August 27, 1999.