Crowds subject to increased security measures wait in line Thursday to go through checkpoints at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Photos by John Locher. Carissa Hamilton, left, hands out water to passengers waiting in line to go through security Thursday at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. The long lines were caused by increased security measures after news of a foiled terror plot in Britain.

Security lines at McCarran International Airport snaked around corners, down the escalator and into the parking garage Thursday morning, a result of a crackdown by the Transportation Security Administration after an announcement that British authorities had foiled a terror plot.

The chaos and confusion that arose in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, returned to McCarran as thousands of passengers waited for hours to get through security checkpoints, many conceding that they would miss their flights.

"It's going to get worse before it gets better," Randy Heugel of Dallas said as he shuffled through the B terminal line with his girlfriend. "We can piss and moan all we want. There's nothing we can do. Just wait it out and cooperate the best you can."

Heugel was booked for a 9:30 a.m. flight on American West, but it was delayed until 11:30 a.m. "No way we're going to get through security with this mile-long line right now. It's ridiculous," he said.

Heugel said he threw away about $300 worth of personal belongings that were not allowed on the plane, including contact lenses that were soaked in a cleansing fluid and a $75 dollar bottle of cologne that he had barely used.

Although there have been no specific threats to McCarran, the airport's security alert status was heightened to "orange" as the TSA implemented enhanced inspection measures at all U.S. airport security checkpoints.

Passengers can find information about the status of their flights at www.flymccarran.com.

Metropolitan Police Department Undersheriff Doug Gillespie said Thursday that no officers were being diverted to the airport.

Because Thursdays typically are one of the busiest days at the airport, more officers are assigned there than on most other days.

Gillespie said there was no known Las Vegas connection to those arrested in the plot, a position reiterated by the local FBI.

"Are there any threats directed at Las Vegas? The answer is no," said David Staretz, chief legal counsel and spokesman for the local FBI office.

But the FBI is remaining alert.

"Whenever you have a potential terrorist plot and there are individuals outstanding, we are of course going to be vigilant and will keep our eyes open as wide as we can," Staretz said.

At Nellis Air Force Base, it was "pretty much business as usual," said base spokesman 1st Lt. Justin McVay.

Civilian vehicles entered the Main Gate under standard security identification checks Thursday. A sign listed the force protection condition as "Alpha," meaning that there is small and general terrorist activity that is not predictable.

Other than "Normal," in which there is no known terrorist activity, "Alpha" is the least serious force condition for the military on a four-tiered scale.

McVay said the events in London had not affected the base's Red Flag air combat training exercise.

Back at McCarran, conditions were definitely not normal. Airport officials handed out yellow fliers to passengers in line explaining an order from the Department of Homeland Security: Passengers were banned from carrying any liquids or gels past the screening checkpoint or in the cabin of the aircraft.

Randall Walker, director of the Clark County Aviation Department, urged passengers to check as much baggage as possible and carry as little as possible on the aircraft. He also advised passengers to arrive at the airport three to four hours before their flight.

"Obviously, if you've been in the terminal, you can see the significant impact for customers, particularly going through checkpoints, which is taking longer than usual because of security," he said. "Every item that has to be screened really adds a lot of time to the system. Don't bring any of these items to the airport."

Because Las Vegas is a tourist town, many people don't watch the news while they're here and may have thought the increased security affected only McCarran, Walker said. Those who heard the news about the foiled terrorist plot in Britain understood what was going on and were well-behaved, he said.

Patricia Casey, who was flying from Las Vegas to Albuquerque, N.M., left her hotel at 9:40 a.m. to make a 12:55 p.m. flight on US Air. She tossed out Advil liquid gel capsules and bottled water and put her hand cream in her checked baggage.

"I saw it on the news, and I had people from all over the country calling on my cell phone because they knew I was traveling," she said. "This happened before about six years ago, so they should have been doing this for six years, as far as I'm concerned."

Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid said public safety is the primary issue and caution is the order of the day.

"We're asking for the public's understanding and patience," he said.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said he hopes people won't stop flying into Las Vegas, because "that is what terrorists basically want, for people to change what they would normally do."

He added that since he took office as mayor in 1999, "we have never received a reliable, credible threat that Las Vegas is a target."

The news of the foiled terror plot didn't rattle tourists.

"I was certainly appalled when I saw the news, the fact we're from England and why these terrorist cells are concentrated in England," John Waudby, who was visiting from Leeds, England, said while waiting for his wife at Fashion Show mall. "I think they're so random. We traveled before 9/11 and since 9/11, and we saw security checks in the (United) States. They're so stringent coming in, particularly through Chicago. Although you have to queue, it's worth it. You feel safe."

Several members of the British media, in Las Vegas to cover the World Series of Poker, huddled in the Rio's press room Thursday afternoon trying to figure out how they would get home.

Two employees of the United Kingdom Television Network had tickets for a Virgin Airlines flight to London at 4 p.m. today. But Heath Greenslade wasn't holding out much hope that he would make it to a friend's wedding Saturday afternoon.

"We've been text messaging some friends in the U.K., and they've said no flights have taken off or landed all day," Greenslade said. "We've been here for three weeks, and we sure would like to get home. But right now, it's pretty confusing."

He said the previous time there was a terrorist incident, airline travel in England was disrupted for a long time.

"I guess I'll just go to the airport and get religious," Greenslade said. "I guess I'll have to do a bit of praying."

Ray O'Hanlon of New York said he was in the city the day terrorists crashed jetliners into the World Trade Center. He said he accepts the restrictions on carry-on items and doesn't mind taking off his shoes and belt to pass through security. It won't stop him or his family from coming back to Las Vegas, he said.

"In a sense, I'm mentally well-adjusted to this terrible new world we now live in," he said. "I accept that traveling is more of a hassle in that you have to think about what you can bring and what you cannot bring. It's kind of hard to keep up with, what to do and what not to do."

Stephen Bartley, a writer for the poker Web site Gutshot.com, said he hopes the trouble is cleared up by Saturday, when he flies home.

"It's a 10-hour flight, and I hope they let me at least bring a book on the plane," he said. "The in-flight entertainment is pretty terrible. I guess I have to pack everything because they're not letting you bring anything as carry-on."

Mad Harper, a British citizen who is covering the poker tournament for PokerStars.com, said that if she had to be stranded anywhere, she doesn't mind being in Las Vegas.

"A lot of the people have been here for six weeks, so they are ready to go home," Harper said. "Me, I wouldn't mind being stranded in your fair city."

Also Thursday, the Islamic Society of Nevada issued a statement condemning the terror plotters.

"The Islamic Society reiterates its commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms. ... The discovery of the plot indicates that we are living in a dangerous world where political differences are used by some people to perpetuate violence against innocent civilians. Terrorism must be fought with the strongest possible determination," reads the statement from Aslam Abdullah, director of the Islamic Society of Nevada.

Review-Journal writers Howard Stutz, David McGrath Schwartz, Keith Rogers and David Kihara contributed to this report.