Salt Lake City International Airport beefs up security under alert

Lucas Guimaraes was headed back to Brazil Thursday morning, but without his $60 bottle of "212" cologne.

"I should have just left it in my checked luggage," said a frustrated Guimaraes.

Passenger after passenger at Salt Lake City International Airport was forced to throw away multiple items that were liquids or gels before entering security gates.

All U.S. airports were on heightened alert because of a foiled terrorist plan in Britain to blow up several planes en route from there to the United States. The suspected terrorists targeted flights operated by American Airlines, Continental Airlines and United Airlines, according to news reports. The plotters reportedly intended to use carry-on luggage to execute their plan.

"What happened over there was the real deal," said Ron Malin, federal security director for the Transportation Security Administration in Utah.

Malin said nothing indicated that the Salt Lake airport was at any greater risk than any other airport in the country. And outside of air travel, Utahns probably didn't notice any changes during their daily routines.

"Right now, it's not going to affect Utahns a whole lot," said Jeff Nigbur, public-affairs officer for the Utah Department of Public Safety, which is over Homeland Security in this state.

It was a different story at the airport.

Even "grandma's preserves" were not safe, according to one security official at the Salt Lake airport.

Many travelers were understanding of the new restrictions.

"I think it's awesome," said Jennifer Anderson.

The North Salt Lake mother was on her way to Santa Barbara with her 8-month-old girl, Iris. She was forced to empty a baby bottle that contained water.

"I'm glad they're doing it," she said. "I don't want to get bombed."

Bottled water, soda, toothpaste, deodorant, contact lens solution, most makeup items, perfume, shampoo and conditioner were just some of the items seen being discarded by passengers preparing to go through security screeners in Salt Lake City.

Two large signs on either side of the road headed into the airport flashed the message, "Security notice, all gels and liquids must be in checked luggage only." Another sign with the same message was placed just before the terminals.