..............................

[C.Ann]

 

[dmfuru]

I believe the warning refers to overseas travellers, while the encouragement refers to domestic travel.

 

[NoodlesTheRabbit]

I believe they are referring to international travel...I know they had uncovered plans of terrorist activity in France and Belgium. That is why it is a"worldwide" caution.

Also, Reagan is still closed due to the proximity to the White House.

 

[Cora]

In case you're interested it is overseas...and here is the link to the full text.

http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html

Cora

 

[C.Ann]

I understand that they are referring to travel overseas but how does an American GET overseas if they don't leave from here? Still don't understand why Reagan is closed either.. Granted, it is in close proximity to the White House but if they're concerned enough to keep that particular airport closed there must be a good reason for it.. Just makes me wonder what we DON'T know and the various news reports I've been hearing all day today certainly don't make me feel any better about it..

 

[Cora]

The reason Reagan is closed (this is according to what I heard on the news a couple weeks ago) is because you can basically fly a plane straight up the Potomac. They want to keep the airspace around the Pentagon secure and having Reagan open would not achieve that. The other thing that I 've heard is that they are considering opening the furthest most runway at Reagan (it is the only one that does not have a Potomac approach).

My opinion in why it is a "worldwide caution" is because we have no control over the security measures in other countries. Quite honestly, I would be hard pressed right now to leave the US. If I remember correctly the "worldwide caution" is a usual and customary procedure. When we were planning our honeymoon in '91, I think there was one then too (Gulf War).

Cora

 

[GoldenPrincess]

There are Americans overseas who were there prior to September 11. My son is overseas as is the son of a friend of mine, plus dependants of all the military personnel stationed overseas.

I understood Reagan was closed because it was in close proximity to a crime scene (Pentagon).

I also want to add that we are still living in a country where we have the freedom to travel to other parts of the world without question. As long as there is an airplane heading in the direction we want to go, we're free to be on it. The government is doing their part by providing warnings. What we choose to do with that information is up to us. It's part of what makes this America.

Personally, I'll choose not to fly internationally for the time being. But I'm glad that I can still do so if I change my mind!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

C.Ann,
The warning is for people who want to fly out of the US to a foreign country. It is a warning to let you know that there might be some problems.
You are free to fly in spite of this warning.
I believe they have closed Regan because they have to keep the airspace above the government buildings free of air traffic. The only air traffic allowed is military etc. In other words if you are not "cleared" to fly in that area or "no fly zone" you will be warned or shot down. In other words "if it flies it dies.". It is a security measure for the safety of our Government "seat".

 

[caitycaity]

as a dc residnet, no planes have ever been allowed over the white house, capitol, lincoln, washington etc. there is a certain distance, but i'm not sure what it is. The reason for National Airport being closed still is b/c it is close to the pentagon and it is close to downtown and everything there. Personally I think this is silly b/c I've flown over parts of DC coming into Dulles, and they are letting planes in and out of there too, but those are the reasons that I have heard here. There has been speculation that we will know within the week what is going to happen with National. Most people here truly hope that it reopens as it is causing big problems for travellers and for anyone who makes their livelihood in the area around National. It's not only effecting the people who work in the airport but all the hotels, restaurants, and shops in that general vicinity too. It is basically a ghost-town.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I read it and I would still go overseas tomorrow if someone would give me a ticket!

I think that some of the European countries are much better prepared for this than we are. They have dealt with it for years. I have routinely had my bags searched and gone thru metal detectors for public buildings in France and England. There are no large trash cans in the London Underground (subway) to prevent them from being used for bombs. They have lots of percautions that we don't.

Now, I would probably think twice about taking a large organized american group tour. But as I stay in small local hotels and try very hard to act and dress as a local I don't think that I would be in anymore danger there than I am in my office right now.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says......................................... C.Ann, Come on get a grip on reality. It is quite simple, if you fly overseas, you increase your danger. If you fly to Sudan, Iraq, etc. all bets are off. The threat is not here so much as when you get there. Travel America, you could spend an entire lifetime and not see it all. You can come out here to California for a year and not see it all!! I'll even set you up with what you really need to see, besides DL and LA.