The guy who works next to me was scheduled to go from USA to Canada to United Kingdom tomorrow. He said he cancelled the trip after he heard that 'US and Canada and the UK were attacking Afghanistan'.

Shrug... I can understand him being leery at this time, but it is capitulation to the terrorists, unfortunately.. oh well.

If YOU feel comfortable, by all means go on the trip, I think there are alot of people who would not feel comfortable and even with cheap tickets/ accomodations would not fully enjoy themselves (your sister and mother among them)and therefore it may be better to re-schedule at a time the trip can be fully enjoyed.

At present, If I were traveling abroad I would also avoid any overtly American/British institutions and businesses that may be symbolic targets to the extremist terrorists.

I would go and I did (mid Sept) and I am going again(Nov, Dec). However, if you feel uncomfortable and think its going to stress you out on your well deserved holiday, then stay home. I have to say, that nothing was more relaxing to me than sitting at SIP Babylone, near the Bon Marche in Paris, having my cafe creme, and thinking about another croissant, and not being bombarded with more analysis and news reports.

In regards to large stadiums, I was thinking on Saturday, as I passed Husky stadium full of UW fans getting ready to cheer the dawgs on, how cool it was that life was getting back to normal. Oh well.

Bottom line, go if you feel like you will be relaxed. The kids will feel your stress and maybe not enjoy themselves too.

lala

Just was travelling in Europe last week: Germany and Switzerland, including FRA and ZRH. I still consider airport security stricter and better than in the U.S. I also know from reliable airline sources that passenger screening and racial profiling takes place for many flights. Among other things CAPAS (Computer Assisted Passanger Assessment System) and similiar methods are operating.

I say "go". Since the 1980's every time there has been a terrorist scare anywhere on the world, people in the U.S. wondered if it was still safe to go to Europe. It happened during the Gulf War, after the first WTC bombing, after the bombings of U.S. Embassies in Africa, etc. I have seen these scares come and go, and as far as I know not one single U.S. tourist in Europe was the victim of a terrorist incident during or after the crisis period. Go, and have a great time!

It's either safe, or it's not. Why would you feel it's safe to make a mileage run, but unsafe to take the family? If you truly feel it is unsafe, you certainly should not take the family to europe, why would you risk leaving your children w/out a father, just to get to Plat?

I'm not trying to be critical, just pointing out the logic.

As for myself, the wife and I will be flying this sunday CLE-EWR-CDG-BCN. We will then pick up a nice Med cruise that ends in ATH. we plan to spend a few days there, then head to Paris for a few more days before flying back to the states. It's gonna take a lot more than us bombing some caves to keep me at home. Quite honestly, the only thing that would stop me at this point is another airline shutdown.

Go if you think it's safe, or don't go at all. I'm proud to be an American, and I'm not taking my "Al Gore is a risky scheme" sticker off my samsonite!

I have several overseas trips planned in the next three months - 2 cents worth of advice -I would not go to any US branded stores overseas - while a warning has been specifically issued for Italy - common sense would keep me out of any US branded operations(McD, KFC, Gap, ect - ) in any country I would go to.

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Askworldtraveler, EXP,4 million AA miles+++

I want to thank everybody for their reassuring comments. I'm planning on going to Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) next month, and I was getting a little worried about traveling as well, given the State Dept.'s warning. However, I do think that it is safer to be there right now than here, and it will be interesting to experience another culture's perspective on all the goings-on.

Go. I've got a CDG trip in November, and I'm not hesitating at all. I was feeling the anxiety about safety and life in general for weeks now. But I never doubted air travel. This anxiety is causing not only mental, but physical setbacks in my life. I refuse to be slam dunked in some pothole on ole' highway 99. There is too much out in the world that I want to experience. And time is precious.

Go. Maybe skip London because there's plenty to do in Vienna and you'll spend less time around the airports. A good friend of mine is from Vienna and he's going in March (November is too cold for him).

Have a good time.

Linda

Thanks for all of the comments.
Here's an update.
I talked to my sister today, she is not interested at all in going. Mom is in the same boat. So that part of the trip looks as if it's off.
I am planning to go Nov 8th.. the logic is I do think it's safe and won't worry about it. I plan to visit the British Museum while I am there.
So there we are. It's a comprise.. sister won't go, but I will.
Maybe Vienna in the spring.
Thanks again for all of the comments and thoughts.
Anyone want to make a run DFW-LGW Nov 8th.?
Or is there a better place to go for $450?

This has been helpful.
Frank

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TANSTAASFL - but if you work it right, FF miles comes pretty close.

Amen to that! Well said, Linda. And to you and CFM3RD, "Bon Voyage!"

(edited to correct errors in quoting)

[This message has been edited by bbinchi (edited 10-08-2001).]

I was just in and around paris recently and ad 2C at CDG there was no change whatsoever with airport security. Nothinbg at all had changed since my previous visit about 3 or 4 weeks ago. When not at the airport I saw nothing related to the problems, expect in the newspapers and on TV.

it's true it's true. I am in France now and coming into DeGaulle was a snap, easier than prior times in fact. Perhaps the fact that Dennis Hopper was on my plane made the process run more smoothly. No hijacker is going to mess with that guy--he's sincerely crazy.

While risking the wrath of the moderators ( ) may I suggest PiP 2001 as an alternative for that time period?

Mike

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a FlyerTalk tradition continues in November 2001 in Cannes, France......

Check the PiP 2001 Website or the FT Topic for details and news.

Re. London, I wouldn't skip it, there is no more of a terrorist threat than the past 20 years of IRA attacks. London is safe, has an excellent (highly visable) police force and a pretty alert public.