COMPLETE COVERAGE | FRONT LINES | AMERICA AT HOME | INTERACTIVES »

Security concerns force hundreds of flight delays

At least 10,000 passengers in Atlanta were delayed last month when a man illegally entered the terminal area.

SUMMARY:

Security concerns caused more than 1,100 flights to be delayed and 408 more to be cancelled in a six-week period between October and December, the FAA said Friday. Officials cited stepped up security measures as well as breaches and mistakes for the surge in delays since September 11.

UPDATE:

Between October 30 and December 16, 1,111 flights were delayed -- most due to minor security breaches -- according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Security concerns also prompted airport officials across the country ask passengers on 353 flights to deplane and go through security checkpoints a second time because of improper initial screening. (Full story)

Times Square revelers will ring in New Year's this year with stepped up security and reminders of those killed a few miles away, at the World Trade Center, on September 11. New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the festivities' guest of honor and Time's person of the year, will oversee the familiar ball drop in his last act in office. (Full story)

President Bush said Friday that he would be "madder than heck" if an Arab-American Secret Service agent was barred from boarding a commercial airline flight due to his ethnicity. An inquiry was being conducted into how and why an American Airlines pilot prohibited the agent, who was armed, from boarding a flight to Texas where he was to join the security detail at President Bush's ranch. (Full story)

Once heartbroken and now determined, many people whose relatives and friends died on September 11 have become regulars on Capitol Hill, campaigning for measures related to the terrorist attacks. Several groups have formed both in Washington and in New York, including the Pentagon Angels and WTC United Family Group. (Full story)

Health workers began their second attempt late Friday to fumigate portions of the Hart Senate Office Building, more than two months after it closed because of anthrax contamination, an EPA spokeswoman said. (Full story)

• Summary   • Update   • Key questions   • Who's who   • Victims   • Impact

REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS   •  Emergency information   •  Partial list of victims   •  Victims story archives

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

KEY QUESTIONS:

What effect will the delay in passing an economic stimulus bill have on the economy?

Should the federal government issue national security alerts in response to undisclosed, vague threats?

Are U.S. intelligence agencies better equipped to detect and prevent future homeland terrorist attacks?

What is the government doing to fortify homeland defense? Click here for more

What are tips to know in the wake of the attacks? Click here for more

WHO'S WHO:

George W. Bush: U.S. president Click here for more.

Laura Bush: First lady of the United States, she has become more visible since the terrorist attacks, making public appearances urging parents and teachers to help reassure children that everything is being done to try to keep them safe. Click here for more

Tom Ridge: Director of the U.S. Office of Homeland Security, a new Cabinet-level position Click here for more

Richard Clarke: Head of efforts to safeguard information systems for the Office of Homeland Security Click here for more

Wayne Downing: Retired Army general tapped as deputy national security adviser Click here for more

Joe Allbaugh:The chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Click here for more

Dr. David Satcher: Surgeon General of the United States

Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan: Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Click here for more

Rudy Giuliani: Mayor of New York Click here for more

Michael Bloomberg: Mayor-elect of New York

Anthony A. Williams: Mayor of Washington

Dr. Ivan Walks: Director of the Department of Health for the District of Columbia

Paul O'Neill: Treasury secretary

Norman Y. Mineta:Transportation secretary

Jane Garvey: FAA administrator

VICTIMS:

The latest figures provided by federal and local officials give the following numbers of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks:

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York City officials, the death toll is 2,939 -- 2,367 people missing and presumed dead, including the 157 on the two hijacked planes -- and 574 bodies have been identified. The toll has been steadily shrinking for a variety of reasons, including duplicate reports and confusion in the hours and days immediately following the attack.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 missing and presumed dead

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The attacks of September 11 have sparked new debate about balancing the protection of U.S. citizens with the protection of the civil rights of those suspected of terrorism.

While the United States is proud of the freedoms and the legal rights guaranteed by the Constitution, authorities and many citizens have argued those people who seek to destroy America do not deserve such protections while they represent an ongoing threat to the country. Others argue that it is those very freedoms which the terrorists seek to curtail, and that to limit individual rights provides them with a victory.

While those arguments continue, so do the threats against U.S. interests. Security remains high at airports, certain industries and many government facilities.