Watch Out for Terrorist 'Dry Runs': Pilots' Memo

An internal memo from the US Airline Pilots Association suggests would-be terrorists are conducting "dry runs" during airplane flights to see how crews react to threatening situations, reports Tampa's WTSP. The memo cites "several" such incidents, the most recent on a Sept. 2 flight from Washington to Orlando in which four "Middle Eastern" men caused a stir. Three moved about the cabin, opening bins, changing seats, and "generally making a scene," says the memo, which asserts they were trying to distract the flight attendants. The fourth ran hard toward the flight deck before making a sharp turn into a bathroom, reports USA Today.

"They are trying to pull out air marshals if they are on board, or law enforcement if they are on board," an air marshal tells the Tampa station. "They are looking for how the crew reacts." Or not? The TSA looked into the Sept. 2 incident and says it doesn't merit any further investigation, reports Fox News. But local GOP congressman John Mica disagrees. “While the specifics of the US Air incident are not public, federal authorities must review the matter," he said. (More terrorism stories.)