Security Increased At MIA As Passengers Arrive From Istanbul
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – People who flew in from Istanbul to Miami International Airport on Tuesday evening left Turkey about eight hours before the terrorist attack.They said they learned of the violence while in the air.
Corey Erman lives in Istanbul and traveled to the U.S. for a mission trip.
Erman said during the flight to MIA he got a text from a friend asking if he was OK in light of the bombing at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul.
Erman said he flipped on the TV on the plane and couldn't believe what he saw.
"We're blessed that we made it out," Erman said. "The last three hours of the flight we were just watching to see what was going on. It's terrible."
Harry Rogge and his wife flew home to South Florida from vacation in Istanbul. He said the layers of security at the airport in Istanbul made him feel very safe.
"That's why I'm so amazed that somebody could get inside there because the security is really very tight," Rogge said.
Rogge said security was extra tight at MIA when his flight from Istanbul arrived.
"Just to get off the plane onto the ramp we had to show passports," he said. "They must have had eight to 10 security officers, bomb sniffing dog. They were checking everybody."
A group of travelers that planned to fly to Istanbul Tuesday night learned that their flights were canceled and stood in line for hours trying to get booked onto other airlines to other destinations in Europe.
Shari Little hoped to give Istanbul's tourism a little boost in light of all the recent bombings but it wasn't too be.
"Our family told us that so many shops, restaurants and hotels are shutting down and we wanted to go support them but I'm not going to bring my small child into the terrorist zone," she said.
David Williams said the bombing left him afraid to fly.
"It makes me very nervous," he said. "Very nervous. I'm not sure if I want to travel today."
CBS News is reporting tonight that MIA is increasing police presence inside terminals and officers are also patrolling the curbside areas for suspicious vehicles.