It is a crazy world when sports drinks, hair gel and an iPod become lethal weapons. Last week, British police described such a scenario, a plan for “mass murder on an unimaginable scale.”

Terrorists had plotted to detonate explosives on as many as 10 commercial flights between Britain and the United States. There are no guarantees that an attack still will not occur. One month shy of the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, there are no guarantees.

Terrorists intended to bring seemingly harmless liquids aboard commercial airplanes, mix them and detonate them. Ingredients disguised as energy drinks, hair gel and an MP3 player apparently can make a bomb.

A Growing List of No-No’s
Once again, airline passengers are queuing in long lines at security checkpoints. Already conditioned to doff shoes and belts, a new list of forbidden personal items — lotions, hair gels and all liquids — are banned on board.

All carry-on baggage has been banned on flights originating in the United Kingdom. The U.S. terror level alert has been raised to red for incoming commercial flights from Britain. It’s at level orange for domestic flights. Even alert-weary Americans recognized this was the real thing.

The plot was discovered through the joint efforts of British and Pakistani authorities after an arrest was made in Pakistan. Twenty-one terrorist suspects were arrested in the United Kingdom.

U.S. officials say the plot looks like the work of al-Qaida. If it had been successful, the death toll could have surpassed Sept. 11. Beyond the cost in human lives, the financial repercussions would also have been formidable. Airline companies will struggle to stay financially solvent if summer vacationers decide to stay home.

The governors of California and Massachusetts have called in the National Guard. There are no such plans in New Jersey. The state is under no imminent threat. But it is.

Chemical plants, bridges, tunnels and densely populated communities in the shadow of New York City remain targets. On Thursday, President Bush said, “This country is safer than it was prior to 9/11.”

An Obsession With Airplanes
But almost five years after Sept. 11, terrorism remains a threat. al-Qaida appears obsessed with using commercial airplanes as weapons of mass destruction. Meanwhile, security is minimal on the nation’s rail systems. It is not a priority for the Department of Homeland Security . In North Jersey, thousands of commuters pour in and out of trains, subways and the PATH. How safe are they? It’s impossible to ban electronic devices and liquids inside subways and trains.

Airline passengers will adjust to new regulations. In time, no one will question the carry-on rules any more than they do removing their belts at a security checkpoint.

Americans are not safer, Mr. Bush. Americans are standing barefoot in airports dumping tubes of toothpaste.

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