Deputy Jerry Haley, of the Richmond County K-9 Task Force, and Tarzan, one of the county's two bomb-sniffing dogs, search baggage in a lobby at Augusta Regional Airport. The airport handled several extra flights ordered to land Tuesday by the Federal Aviation Administration. CHRIS THELEN/STAFF

There have been ''threats of terroristic activity at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon,'' Larry Davison of Pensacola, Fla., recalled the voice saying.

In reality, two commercial jets had crashed into the World Trade Center towers, and another had crashed at the Pentagon. A fourth jet would later go down outside Pittsburgh. All reportedly had been hijacked.

The ASA pilots probably didn't know the extent of the crisis at the time either, airline spokesman Sam Watts said.

''We figured if they were taking action, it must be a serious threat,'' said Florence Herrington, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who also was on the flight.

''A scary thought went through my mind: Let's hurry up and get on the ground,'' Mr. Davison said.

Within an hour of the attack, officials at Augusta Regional Airport received word from the Federal Aviation Administration that all flights in the nation were to be grounded - the first such order in American history.

Both Augusta Regional and Daniel Field airports stopped all takeoffs and began accepting aircraft looking for somewhere to land.

The FAA has extended the restriction until at least noon today, said Augusta Regional Airport spokeswoman Kathryn Solee.

Once planes start flying again, the airport is expected to remain at the highest level of security.

''When the system does come back into place - maybe later this evening or maybe a day or two, who knows - but when it does come into place I think travelers should plan on arriving at the airports early - extra early - to go through safety and security measures,'' airport Director Ken Kraemer said Tuesday.

Across town at Daniel Field, the normal buzz of charter planes and student pilots was silenced.

Jamie Campbell, a pilot from Atlanta scheduled to make a cargo delivery at noon, spent most of the day in the pilot's lounge waiting for permission to take off.

Tightening security Augusta Regional Airport is expected to remain under a high level of security after flights resume, which could be as early as noon today. The only access to the airport will be the main entrance on Tobacco Road. Richmond County Sheriff's Office deputies will be stationed at the airport's entrance. All vehicles are subject to search. There will not be curbside access in front of the terminal. Passengers should bring photo identification and be prepared to answer questions when checking baggage. They should allow extra time before their flights because of the increased security measures. Airport officials are urging only passengers and those picking up or dropping off passengers to use the airport until restrictions are relaxed. Any flights canceled as a result of the FAA grounding of airplanes can be rescheduled through the airlines directly: Delta Air Lines (Atlantic Southeast Airlines): (404) 773-1263 US Airways (US Airways Express): (800) 428-4322

''As far as shutting down everything - you really have to,'' he said, adding that he was amazed that within hours all aircraft had cleared the nation's air space.

''It stinks to be stranded,'' he said, ''but I would rather be stranded than have terrorists taking out the government.''

Only one chartered plane heading to Atlanta was diverted to Daniel Field.

At Augusta Regional, 87 passengers aboard four regional carrier planes faced an unexpected layover in Augusta.

That included Mr. Davison's ASA flight from Stewart International Airport in Newburg, N.Y., to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. Another flight heading to Nassau, Bahamas, also made an unscheduled landing in Augusta.

The Comair plane to Nassau, a flight that originated in Cincinnati, was one of many forced to land at the nearest airport Tuesday.

The tension at Bush Field had a lot to do with chaos at Hartsfield, one of the busiest airports in the country. Flights were being sent to Augusta to relieve pressure in Atlanta, Ms. Solee said.

As the tragedy played out on television, travelers crowded into the lounge, most glued to the sets, others talking into cell phones, some weeping and speaking frantically on pay phones.

The airport helped stranded travelers, many of whom knew Augusta only as the home of the Masters Tournament, find hotel and rental car accommodations. An information table was set up near the ticket counters. Shuttle buses made trips to hotels such as the Riverfront Radisson Hotel Augusta, the Sheraton and the Partridge Inn.

''We just don't want anybody left without the means to do what they need to do,'' Ms. Solee said.

Ms. Herrington lugged her bags to a shuttle bound for the Marriott Fairfield Inn.

Avis Rent-A-Car, one of four car rental agencies at the airport, had to bring in extra cars Tuesday morning, agent Jackie Harman said. Most rentals went out to people heading back to Atlanta. One man said he was driving to Pennsylvania.

''He said he had to get home,'' Ms. Harman said.

Meanwhile, security guards kept cars from parking along the curb directly outside the terminal. The local K-9 Task Force swept the corridors, around the perimeter and in the tower, with bomb-sniffing dogs trained to detect 15 different explosives, including TNT, dynamite and gunpowder, said task force commander John Gray of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.

They also checked luggage. Nothing was found.

David and Beverly Smith of Martinez were supposed to take off at 9:50 a.m. on a Delta flight to Atlanta, connecting to a flight for Albuquerque, N.M. They boarded early to situate their 22-month-old son, but then had to deplane.

They said if they were going to be grounded, they were glad it happened before they left home.

''I'd rather be stuck here than stuck in Atlanta,'' Mr. Smith said.

Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or Vicky Eckenrode at (706) 823-3227.