New TSA warning: Keep an eye out for explosive Thermoses

Holiday travelers went into Christmas weekend with a new warning by the Transportation Security Administration about the potential for explosives packed in Thermoses.

“The possible tactics terrorists might use include the concealment of
explosives inside insulated beverage containers, so in the coming days,
passengers flying within and to the U.S. may notice additional security
measures related to insulated beverage containers,” the TSA cautioned in a public notice.

Even though the beverages contained within are already prohibited, the TSA said “additional security measures related to insulated beverage containers” would be in place at screening checkpoints, including X-ray, inspections and technology to detect explosive traces.

Adm. James Winnefeld on Friday told The Associated Press that the new warnings were about the TSA “always trying to think
ahead.”

The military official said there was increased chatter among terrorists over the holidays, but cited no specific threats.

The new security warning comes a year after a Nigerian man reportedly working for al Qaeda allegedly tried to detonate a plastic explosive in his underwear over Detroit.

A Monday CBS report warned that al Qaeda was looking at poisoning buffets and salad bars at hotels and restaurants with ricin and cyanide in a weekend worth of attacks. Officials have called the threat has been called “credible.”