An arab asking for blueprints right now is on par with Chekov's "take us to your nuclear vessels" line... FBI monitoring suspicious blueprint requests http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/10/10/rec.fbi.buildings/index.html WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI is asking architects and building engineers across the country to report any suspicious requests for building plans, especially for federal buildings and projects, according to two industry groups. Since Sept. 11, a number of design and engineering firms have contacted their professional organizations about recent or past "unusual" requests for blueprints. These requests came both before and after the attacks. According to Phil Simon, a spokesman for the American Institute of Architects, the requests included plans for structures such as airport terminals and towers, federal office buildings, parking garages and museums. Simon would not characterize the number of these requests but said the subjects of the requests, and the details asked for, raised some concerns. The American Institute of Architects and the National Society of Professional Engineers reported their concerns to the FBI. The groups then sent a joint letter to their members, saying "The FBI is advising us to heighten our awareness." CNN Radio obtained a copy of that letter, sent in the past few days, asking architects and engineers to notify the nearest FBI bureau field office of any unusual requests. An AIA official said there may be nothing sinister about the blueprint requests. Often students ask for blueprints as part of their studies. <snip>