Air Travel

Question:

> > I have a 10 PM flight on September 12th from Newark. > I was booked on a flight this evening out of Newark, other members of > the family were to follow tomorrow – we hope to rebook for next week. > I’ve been told that there will be no change charges.

Under the circumstances, I should HOPE not! (If the planes aren’t running, and the airports are closed, they could hardly hold you responsible – it’s not a VOLUNTARY "change".)

Response:

> However, I now have to consider the rather petty-seeming notion of > what to do about my trip to France and Italy, on which I depart > September 18 on one of those big AA jumbo jets.  I’m assuming air > travel will likely resume by then, but…should I still go?  Will it > be chaos?  I think, like many passengers, I won’t be able to fly soon > without at least some fear of being on another potential high-jacked > plane…

Wait two or three days – now everybody are too shocked to take correct decisions – and then decide what you are going to do. If in two days there are still traffic irregularities or a war condition develops, you could really consider cancelling. If not, go. The X-thousand victims are there, we cannot do anything but pray and grieve for them. But the biggest terrorist victory would be if everybody – we are talking millions of people – had to change their mindsets, their way of life, their plans.

Response:

> I think I’m just as worried about being in Europe for three weeks over > a period when the US is very likely to retaliate against someone with > heavy military action.  Counter-reprisals are often possible, plus > there may be lots of security restrictions and tensions.  Is this > really the time I want to be overseas?  I’m not so sure.

Am I, a somewhat handicapped old lady, braver than a healthy young American man?  If you give up something you’ve been looking forward to doing, simply out of fear for what MIGHT happen, you’re doing exactly what the terrorists want you to do!

Response:

: Wait two or three days – now everybody are too shocked to take correct : decisions – and then decide what you are going to do. If in two days : there are still traffic irregularities or a war condition develops, you : could really consider cancelling. If not, go. The X-thousand victims are : there, we cannot do anything but pray and grieve for them. But the : biggest terrorist victory would be if everybody – we are talking : millions of people – had to change their mindsets, their way of life, : their plans. I think it’s a foregone conclusion that these incidents *will* change mindsets and our way of life, regardless.  We are living in a new world – it started slowly in the 90’s and is just escalating.  This was a wake-up call.  We in America have taken our freedom and safety, compared to the rest of the world, for granted, and sadly, I think we may be leaving that era behind. Andrew — —-> Portland, Oregon, USA <—- —-> http://www.bizave.com/photos/  <—- Andrew’s Photography —-> http://www.moviepundit.com/    <—- Andrew’s Movie Website To respond by EMAIL, please DO NOT hit "reply".  Email address scrambled for security.  Instead, please visit the web page:

Response:

: Am I, a somewhat handicapped old lady, braver than a healthy : young American man?  If you give up something you’ve been : looking forward to doing, simply out of fear for what MIGHT : happen, you’re doing exactly what the terrorists want you to : do! Actually, I think I’m more worried about being overseas, trying to enjoy my vacation, when my country has started bombing the crap out of someone.  Not that I truly expect some terrorist to grab me a day later and cut my throat, but the whole idea makes me nervous. I hope I don’t sound melodramatic when I ponder whether the US might actively be at war shortly. Andrew — —-> Portland, Oregon, USA <—- —-> http://www.bizave.com/photos/  <—- Andrew’s Photography —-> http://www.moviepundit.com/    <—- Andrew’s Movie Website To respond by EMAIL, please DO NOT hit "reply".  Email address scrambled for security.  Instead, please visit the web page:

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> However, I now have to consider the rather > petty-seeming notion of what to do about my > trip to France and Italy, on which I depart > September 18 on one of those big AA jumbo jets. > Only four planes were hijacked out of thousands, and they were all > domestic flights within the U.S. > I’m assuming air travel will likely resume by > then, but…should I still go? > If air travel doesn’t resume within 36 hours or so, the country will be > in such a deep recession that nobody will be able to afford going > anywhere.  Of course, that will be just what the terrorists wanted. > Trigger the hysteria, and then let the country self-destruct.

Exactly!  If you give in to your apprehensions, the "bad guys" win!

Response:

> We were supposed to leave to go to Paris tomorrow evening from Toronto, > however in light of this tragedy, we will not be going. > We were planning on travelling with our 5 month old baby and can not see us > taking this unnecessary risk even if air service is resumed by then. Our > ruined vacation is so insignificant compared to the horror that has happened > in New York. My heart goes out to the families who have lost a loved one. > I think this is the only decision for us. I would imagine that security will > be very tight in Europe over the next few weeks and can’t see us enjoying > our vacation. Our relatives are so relieved that we decided not to go.

I don’t understand.  Were Canadian airports closed down, too?  The attacks on the U.S. should not have any effect upon Canadian citizens traveling – unless your routing includes a transfer in the U.S., which seems unlikely, since I would assume there are plenty of direct flights between Toronto and Paris, bypassing the U.S.A. altogether.  I’m sure your sympathy is appreciated, but since Canada was not the target, why should you change your plans? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Angela M

Response:

> My understanding was that the knives were not made of metal and thus able to > bypass the detectors.

I’ve routinely had a regular old swiss army knife on commercial flights (usually in my bag next to the calculator and camera), and in one case, the x-ray technician even reminded me that I had it. X-rays are not magic either, though I assume the process helps identify things you’re already looking for. — Jeff Cook http://www.cookstudios.com Washington DC & London

Response:

:> However, I now have to consider the rather :> petty-seeming notion of what to do about my :> trip to France and Italy, on which I depart :> September 18 on one of those big AA jumbo jets. : Only four planes were hijacked out of thousands, and they were all : domestic flights within the U.S. I think I’m just as worried about being in Europe for three weeks over a period when the US is very likely to retaliate against someone with heavy military action.  Counter-reprisals are often possible, plus there may be lots of security restrictions and tensions.  Is this really the time I want to be overseas?  I’m not so sure. Andrew — —-> Portland, Oregon, USA <—- —-> http://www.bizave.com/photos/  <—- Andrew’s Photography —-> http://www.moviepundit.com/    <—- Andrew’s Movie Website To respond by EMAIL, please DO NOT hit "reply".  Email address scrambled for security.  Instead, please visit the web page:

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->However, I now have to consider the rather petty-seeming notion of >what to do about my trip to France and Italy, on which I depart >September 18 on one of those big AA jumbo jets. >I have a 10 PM flight on September 12th from Newark. > I’m assuming air >travel will likely resume by then, but…should I still go?  Will it >be chaos?  I think, like many passengers, I won’t be able to fly soon >without at least some fear of being on another potential high-jacked >plane… >Anyone else scheduled to travel soon and now not so sure about it? >If I can go, and get somehow from Brooklyn to Newark, I will go. No one is >going to hijack a 10 PM plane and crash it into an empty office building. >Plus the amateur pilots that commandeered the planes wouldn’t be able to >fly in the dark. And security will be tightened. Cell phone calls from the >hijacked planes report they used knives. I understand they allow knives 4" >or shorter to be carried on. You can be sure that no knife of any length >will be allowed now.

My understanding was that the knives were not made of metal and thus able to bypass the detectors. — Food/Wine/Travel website with a French focus <http://www.worldtable.com> Paris, July 2001 <http://www.worldtable.com/reports/paris.jul.2001.html> French dining forum <http://www.egullet.com/cgi-bin/forums.cgi?forum=11>                      

Response:

> We were supposed to leave to go to Paris tomorrow evening from Toronto, > however in light of this tragedy, we will not be going.

It is your decision. However, I would urge you to reconsider your decision and go. Yes, today,s event are traumatic even for those who watch on TV. But you should get back to a normal life ASAP, and your holiday would be the best way to combat your fears and get on with your life. > I think this is the only decision for us. I would imagine that security will > be very tight in Europe over the next few weeks and can’t see us enjoying > our vacation. Our relatives are so relieved that we decided not to go.

You would be at a lesser risk in Europe than in North America.

Response:

Don’t forget, most of the people who died in today’s terrorist attacks weren’t on hijacked airplanes–they were killed at the office after going to work as usual. The statement that you’re more likely to get killed driving to the airport than on a plane may be a clich