Frustrated with Air Canada discovery of box cutters on Sept 11 flight

[SandraC]

Hi all, I am completely upset with Air Canada today! Just as I am gathering up all the courage and common sense I need to start booking our April 2002 trip, Air Canada totally goofed up by NOT searching a Sept 11 flight from Toronto to NYC that had BOX CUTTERS on the flight. How completely and utterly dense are they? Not that any other airline is any better but COME ON Air Canada! I WILL NOT BOOK OUR FLORIDA TRIP ON AIR CANADA! If I book one at all! I was more comfortable booking our trip a week after Sept 11 than I am now. I am very shaken about this. Do I put my family in danger for a trip?

 

[PoohBWV]

Sandra: Only you know how comfortable you would be in taking a vacation/flying etc. I think we all have to make up our own minds about this right now. Since you are not planning on leaving until April, why not just book your room and not worry about airline tickets just yet. Maybe you would be more comfortable driving. April is still a while away and who knows how we will all feel then?

 

[kellyla]

Sandra,just to let you know,before the incidents of Sept 11th most airlines allowed knives with less than 4 inches of blade in the carry on's or in your pocket(I have read and heard this several times since the attacks).Because box cutters are retractable knives they wouldnt be confiscated.But now with new rules in place no knives of any kind(including plastic ones),nail files,nail clippers,scissors or any thing that could be used as a weapon.Some airlines arent even allowing pens.So I dont really think that you can blame Air Canada for them finding these knives on Sept 11th.I also believe that it is not the airlines that search carry on's and luggage.It is done by an outside contractor to the airports.The federal goverment is looking into taking over this.So I really dont think that you can put the blame on the airline.They were just following the rules.JMO.

 

[c&m]

Hi SandraC. We just came back from DL, driving there and back with our 2.5 and 6 year old DDs. I have never felt comfortable flying so we never intended on flying. It was a pleasant adventure for the whole family, and we saved a bundle not having to buy 4 airline tickets (would've costed us $2000 right off the bat). We saved even more by buying our 4-day hopper passes at Sears Travel as their special at the time was Canadian at par. I also saved another big amount by going on Priceline to book our hotel room. Also, having our car with us gave us greater mobility around Anaheim.

Our entire trip for 6 nights at the Anaheim Marriott and 5 days at DL and CA cost us $1200 for family of 4 (includes food, gas, hotel, and passes). Our friends (another family of 4) who travelled with us but took a plane and a vacation package at the Anaheim Radisson for only 5 nights and 3-day passes spent $2100.

If you don't feel comfortable about flying, maybe consider driving down. Not only would it alleviate your fears, consider the cost savings!!!

 

[my3princesses]

I've heard of someone who flew since Sept 11th in business class and had his nailclippers taken from him before the flight and then was given a metal knife for his dinner! I know they have to be careful; but then what can they do, only serve meals that do not require knives?

 

[marty3d]

I was just on a business class flight on AC. They gave us metal forks and spoons, but plastic knives.

As for finding box cutters on Sept. 11 - many planes that were searched after Sept 11 (AC and US & Intl airlines) were found with box cutters and other small knives. The US government has reported that they do not believe that there were any attempted hijackings that were foiled that day based on their review of passenger lists. Before Sept. 11 all knives with blades shorter than 4 inches were permitted as carry on. I frequently carried on a swiss army knife before then. This rule was set by IATA and enforced by the FAA and Transport Canada. The airlines do not screen luggage. There are alot of issues with AC, but this is not something that they can be blamed for. If we want to blame someone, we should look at the regulatory bodies that focused on searching only for bombs and guns.

As for travel now - we had tickets on AC for January. After Sept. 11, we considered cancelling. However, I travel for business - and I have had to travel a few times since that day. I can tell you that I have never seen such thorough searches of carry on and persons. At Pearson, they were hand-searching half the carry-on baggage (at least) and were carefully screening passengers. I feel very comfortable getting on a plane - especially AC which has the best safety record in the world (for 2000).

 

[SandraC]

I appreciate everyone reply. Thank you for sharing. We'll be booking trip soon.