UPDATE, 11:17 p.m.: More concerns about Metro security after multiple scares.

ABC 7: A recent terror arrest has Metro considering a serious security change that could affect your commute.

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The government says Farooque Ahmed, a 34-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Pakistan, wanted to kill Americans. Court records show Ahmed, who worked for Erikkson Communication Services in Reston, was ready to die a martyr.

Ahmed is charged with plotting to blow up four Northern Virginia Metrorail stations: Courthouse, Arlington National Cemetery, Pentagon and Crystal City.

"It's the risk. You live in the city, you take the subway. Things happen," said metro rider Wayne Kemp about the alleged plot.

News of the bomb plot rattled Jeff Ifrah enough that he grabbed a cab Thursday instead of a cheaper ride on Metro.

He told us, "I'm just going five or 10 minutes and maybe I don't need to worry about that risk, take that risk."

Metro rider Selam Maru had another idea: "I think I'm just gonna be more cognizant of what's going on around me but I still have to get to work and I can't let that fear take over my life."

Metro's police chief Thursday implied random bag checks may be coming to a station near you in the near future.

Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn says they have the manpower lined up to use a wand to check items the way they do at airports.

"It's a swab to see if in fact there's any explosives, chemicals on a person's handbag or things of that nature. It's not an invasive type of screening that you go into actual packages unless there's an actual hit," said Taborn.

The chief says it would take 15 to 20 seconds per person and would be part of an overall security package to keep riders safe. Passengers aware of the alleged foiled bomb plot seem okay with the idea.

Metro riders' opinions on that step were mixed.

"I wouldn't like it but I would understand it and I would accept it," said Janice of Washington, D.C.

"This would just be another step of protecting the people because if they don't do it and something bad happens, then somebody's gonna get blamed for it," said Keemoy Mitchell of Southeast Washington.

"I say go for it. Safety is always number one."

BALTIMORE (AP) - The man accused of plotting to bomb Washington-area subway stations lived in middle-class suburban comfort with his wife and their infant son.

Farooque Ahmed, a native of Pakistan, and his wife held steady jobs in northern Virginia's technology industry and mostly kept to themselves.

Federal authorities say Ahmed harbored a burning desire to join the global jihad, planning to fight U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan and talking about becoming a martyr.

Ahmed and his wife got along with neighbors in suburban Ashburn, Va., sometimes even cooking saffron rice and chicken for them. Ahmed enjoyed fishing, and his English-born wife, Sahar Mirza-Ahmed, was part of a group of "Hip Muslim Moms." Both were active on social-networking sites.

By BEN NUCKOLS Associated Press