Terror level on HIGH - anyone freaking?

[Harambe]

DH doesn't like to fly and all this talk is making him sweat! I hope they downgrade the alert by the time we leave on Jan 14.

Has anyone changed their plans because of this? I absolutely refuse! I know we need to be careful, but I can't live under a rock!

If only the 9/11 terrorists hadn't flown out of Logan - I'm sure DH wouldn't be so fearful.

For those of you who have flown in the last few days - have you noticed a big difference?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Nope and I refuse to. We flew the Friday after 9/11 and while I was edgy, I refused to change my plans.

 

[Aisling]

I'm a nervous flyer, and live in NYC to top it off with machine-gun- wielding military types walking around Times Square and JFK airport right now as I type this. But it really doesn't freak me out at all. I truly feel we are so protected that I'm just not worried. Now, I'm not so out of touch with reality as to believe that nothing could possible happen, but it's a lot more difficult to do damage to an airplane than it was before. I'm more afraid of mechanical failure on board than terrorists.

For your husband's sake, I do hope they downgrade the terror alert, because I know it is unsettling.

 

[Aisling]

.

 

[inkkognito]

I am always a paranoid flyer, which is ironic since I fly to Orlando an average of twice a month. We flew the Thanksgiving after 9/11, and we never even considered cancelling the trip. It was so creepy, as O'Hare was nearly deserted on what is typically one of the busiest travel days of the year. I much prefer waiting in line to being in a deserted airport...it felt like the twilight zone, especially with the National Guardsmen there (although I was glad to see them).
Even with my general phobia, I am able to fly because I'm a very logical person and I know it's statistically safer than driving. So I look at the threat of terrorism this way...if the chances of a crash were one in a million, and now they are two in a million, do those numbers really mean all that much in reality? I pray that nothing happens, but if it does, I don't think they would try it from the same airport. And I honestly believe the other passengers would tear the terrorists apart before they could do anything.
Good luck!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm not freaking, as a matter of fact, I'm more calm than usual about the alert level. Maybe I'm getting too used to it. I have no plans on cancelling my vacation.

 

[kessieann]

We are not cancelling...unless something happens that makes us rethink the decision. I am definitely nervous about the whole thing. While it seems like there is something in the works coming up I also remember that the nerves were running high around the holidays last year too.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Hadn't even thought about the threat level being raised and the effect it will have on my vacation until I read your post.
No, I won't let those freakin' terrorists control my life!
I will go to the airport and board that plane on January 25th.
I will be more aware of my surroundings than I would have been prior to 9/11/01. But other than that, I'm not going to let it affect my vacation!

 

[Harambe]

Thanks what I wanted to hear!

BRING IT ON ! ! ! ! ! ! !

 

[debster812]

Harambe--we're flying out of Logan 3 days after you. We're ready. I'm thinking about it, but not freaking. I flew out of Logan on 9/12/02 (1 year removed from 09/11/01) for business and getting on that plane was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I did it, and now I am ready.

Bring it on indeed!

 

[off2disney]

The day I returned from Disney they had just raised the terror alert to High and I could tell the difference, that security had been increased just in the week between flying there and returning. Miami was the most obvious - there were long lines (but they moved quickly) and every 30 feet or so you had to show your boarding pass and picture ID - three times before we went through screening. I've never had to show my boarding pass before going thru the X-rays, but did this time. Anyone over 13 y/o age had to remove their shoes and put them through the xrays (a good idea to wear socks). It may be a false sence of security but I was happy to see it.

I noticed some people getting irate and pushy -- all it got them was being pulled aside to be searched and/or have their luggage searched. My purse was pulled to be checked - the checker told me she had to check it and I told her it was probably my roll of quarters (for the toll booths), and it was. She also checked my medical kit with my insulin and pen needles very carefully. Even with all that, we still got through the lines very quickly.

Go on your trip, be aware of what's going on around you, allow plenty of time to go through security so you aren't running late and getting stressed, and have a great time.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by off2disney
The day I returned from Disney they had just raised the terror alert to High and I could tell the difference, that security had been increased just in the week between flying there and returning. Miami was the most obvious - there were long lines (but they moved quickly) and every 30 feet or so you had to show your boarding pass and picture ID - three times before we went through screening. I've never had to show my boarding pass before going thru the X-rays, but did this time. Anyone over 13 y/o age had to remove their shoes and put them through the xrays (a good idea to wear socks). It may be a false sence of security but I was happy to see it.

I noticed some people getting irate and pushy -- all it got them was being pulled aside to be searched and/or have their luggage searched. My purse was pulled to be checked - the checker told me she had to check it and I told her it was probably my roll of quarters (for the toll booths), and it was. She also checked my medical kit with my insulin and pen needles very carefully. Even with all that, we still got through the lines very quickly.

Go on your trip, be aware of what's going on around you, allow plenty of time to go through security so you aren't running late and getting stressed, and have a great time.

I like your attitude!!!! good for you. One question, didn't you ever have to show your id and pass/ticket at MCO before you go through security? We do all the time.

 

[Jillpie]

Another Logan flier here...6 days before you! I can hardly contain my excitement. I am more nervous about snow. I've been checking the 15 day forecast and so far, so good on the 9th. No worries here, just start your packing and away we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disneyworld, here we ALL come!!!!

 

[Cinda Indiana]

Harambe-I've been freaking out about flying for 14 years now. Don't know where the fear came from-used to fly all the time. I'm really glad you started this thread. Right here, right now (As Dr. Phil would say--ha) I'm finished with it. Maybe the lines will be long, and I may have to take off my shoes, but my DD and I are flying, even if we take off late and are in bare feet, or whatever! It sure is more appealing than the day and a half drive both ways. We just don't have that kind of time to spend on the road...I'd much prefer the extra magic time. I've been checking our airlines policies about baggage, check in times, etc. and think all will be fine. Have gotten so many good tips from these boards...Happy New Year to you, and I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Harambe]

Oh - you're so right! We did the train last trip and what a waste of time!

Off2Disney - thanks for the note about the quarters, as I will have a roll packed so I can do laundry at WDW (we travel with minimal clothes). So I won't panic if they check my bag.

And I'll remember to wear my lucky Winnie the Pooh socks (my doc even let me wear them thru some surgery a few years back!) in case they tell me to remove my shoes!

One more odd-ball thing . . . I e-mailed Song about bringing my knitting along for the flight, and was surprised to see that knitting needles are allowed with no problem! Isn't that weird!?!?!

 

[mcnuss]

Miami was the most obvious - there were long lines (but they moved quickly) and every 30 feet or so you had to show your boarding pass and picture ID - three times before we went through screening. I've never had to show my boarding pass before going thru the X-rays, but did this time.

There are some airports that require this even when the alert is not "High". I can think of 3-4 off the top of my head. At CLE, it's almost funny how many times they checked it from the beginning of the line to the end...like I could body-swap or something in the 20-25 ft. between checks! But I just kept smiling and showing it and stuffing it back in my pocket and hoping that I would not misplace it! (Very Frequent Traveler Paranoia: Losing driver's license on business trip, being stranded thousands of miles from home...)

My folks flew on Christmas Day from MCO and while of course the airport was nearly deserted, they said they did not see too many overt signs of changes.

With respect to the roll of quarters, take them out and put them in the bucket - along with anything else that might look funny on xray - and you will reduce the risk of being stopped.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Harambe
Oh - you're so right! We did the train last trip and what a waste of time!

Off2Disney - thanks for the note about the quarters, as I will have a roll packed so I can do laundry at WDW (we travel with minimal clothes). So I won't panic if they check my bag.

And I'll remember to wear my lucky Winnie the Pooh socks (my doc even let me wear them thru some surgery a few years back!) in case they tell me to remove my shoes!

One more odd-ball thing . . . I e-mailed Song about bringing my knitting along for the flight, and was surprised to see that knitting needles are allowed with no problem! Isn't that weird!?!?!

Yep knitting needles are fine, crochet hooks are fine and, are you ready for this, cork screws. BUT, don't try to take three lighters with you. Obviously the FAA is more concerned with burns than the fact that knitting needles, hooks and corkscrews can be nasty weapons, at the very least they can poke an eye out. Be sure to take your knitting scissors out of your knitting bag, pointed ones are not allowed, but, blunt ones are. Of course, if you forget your scissors, you can always burn the yard with one of your two allowed lighters.
For a complete list of what is allowed, go to http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=177
It makes for some "head scratching" reading.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

We're flying out on Jan 17th. I'm not afraid. I figure if it's my time, it's my time. What am I going to do about it? Terrorists want us to change our habits and live in fear and I am not going to do that. Screw them

 

[BrittnTylersMom]

I'm not so sure I would want the raised level of awareness lowered before we travel. I'd prefer to have the higher level of security. I have absolutely nothing to hide, so giving a little more time for check-in wouldn't bother me at all.
We'll be flying out of Logan too.
I'm a nervous flyer anyway, but I'm trying my hardest to think that because 2 of those planes left from here on 9/11...they'll be good and sure to see that it'll never happen again! I'd like to think it's the safest airport around now...shhhh!..let me dream!!!

 

[Harambe]

That's putting a positive spin on it! I'm with you, BrittnTylersMom! I feel that it only makes it safer, too. BTW, your babies are darling!

And Gail - what a riot! You were right about the "head scratching".

As usual, you've all made me feel better - and I think I will do a little packing today!