Jun 28, 2016, 1:42 pm
Last edit by: starflyergold
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Please note this thread may be moved to the Europe forum shortly
Explosions and gun fire heard at IST airport (28 June 2016)
Jun 28, 2016, 11:32 pm
#61
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Houston
Posts: 282
I'm at IST right now. I came in on TK 4 from JFK. We were not diverted. The crew made no announcements about the attack during the flight and said nothing after we landed. Just the normal "we hope you enjoyed your flight etc..." If I hadn't checked my phone i'd have no idea. The int'l connections area was a mess. Huge lines, people stranded. Absolutely bo one from TK around to let anyone know what's going on. Half the flights on the board are cancelled most of the others delayed. I got up to the lounge which was closed for a while before finally taking pax in. Again there are ZERO TK staff here who knows what's going on w flights. It's a complete zoo. For now my flight is on the board.
Jun 28, 2016, 11:35 pm
#62
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Houston
Posts: 282
I flew out of IST Sunday morning and as you know they have a sort of double screening procedure. Just as you enter the door they have a screening of bags but there didn't seem to be any armed people there. Once past that screening all the check-in stuff and another layer of screening, this time there were firearm carrying security/police... Same holds true for Izmir, the only other airport in Turkey I went through on this trip. This is very sad news indeed with now (as I write) "36 dead, 147 injured, Turkish officials say" with some reports saying 50 dead. We really do have to solve this problem....
Jun 28, 2016, 11:36 pm
#63
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,618
First & foremost: To those affected by the violence in IST, know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many abroad.
I was in Orlando this past weekend, at the airport no less, and the tragic events of two weeks ago were still very much on everyones' minds. I know it'll be some time before things get back to normal again.
I'd still be willing to fly through, even visit IST. My biggest fear still would be getting haraSSSSed by TSA after visiting IST rather than any actual violence I'd see in IST. If I want violence, I can just go to Chicago, with ~320 homicides / 1900 shootings year to date (per http://www.heyjackass.com). I'm not familiar with the current situation in Turkey, but I'm betting Chicago still beats them out.
The DME, BRU, & IST attacks both show a major flaw with our concept of security. Creating more layers of security won't stop attacks. It just pushes them further away from the aircraft. People still are being killed.
All major airports have security checkpoints. Some have security checkpoints before you enter the security checkpoints. Soon they'll add security checkpoints for the security checkpoints before you get to the security checkpoints.
By the time the attackers have reached the airport, it's really too late. This is where the intelligence community needs to go back to its cold-war methods, ie: field agents instead of computer jockeys who want to do everything remotely.
It's by sheer dumb luck that someone didn't pull this off in the USA, especially when the ineptitude of the TSA forces 1,000+ people to stand for hours in queues. I fear it's only a matter of time before we see a similar attack at a US airport.
Orlando got lucky this time. If the same attack had played out at one of the Disney parks, we'd see a noticeable drop in Florida tourism.
I was in Orlando this past weekend, at the airport no less, and the tragic events of two weeks ago were still very much on everyones' minds. I know it'll be some time before things get back to normal again.
I'd still be willing to fly through, even visit IST. My biggest fear still would be getting haraSSSSed by TSA after visiting IST rather than any actual violence I'd see in IST. If I want violence, I can just go to Chicago, with ~320 homicides / 1900 shootings year to date (per http://www.heyjackass.com). I'm not familiar with the current situation in Turkey, but I'm betting Chicago still beats them out.
All major airports have security checkpoints. Some have security checkpoints before you enter the security checkpoints. Soon they'll add security checkpoints for the security checkpoints before you get to the security checkpoints.
By the time the attackers have reached the airport, it's really too late. This is where the intelligence community needs to go back to its cold-war methods, ie: field agents instead of computer jockeys who want to do everything remotely.
It's by sheer dumb luck that someone didn't pull this off in the USA, especially when the ineptitude of the TSA forces 1,000+ people to stand for hours in queues. I fear it's only a matter of time before we see a similar attack at a US airport.
Orlando got lucky this time. If the same attack had played out at one of the Disney parks, we'd see a noticeable drop in Florida tourism.
Jun 29, 2016, 12:11 am
#64
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
Credits are due for the airport security though, they didn't allow this happen inside the terminal past security. I was at IST couple months ago, they wouldn't even allow you to loiter near the first security entrance area, much less taking photos.
I feel bad for my Turkish friends, who run tourism-related businesses, things will get worse before they get better.
Exactly my same (and the only) concern, even when I am merely transiting through IST to other parts of the world. I still feel safer in Istanbul than I was in any parts of South America.
Last edited by vincewy; Jun 29, 2016 at 12:34 am
Jun 29, 2016, 12:15 am
#65
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: ZRH
Programs: LH
Posts: 414
Would appreciate if the thread could focus on the immediate impact for travelers scheduled to go through IST rather than the analysis of well the intelligence services perform(ed).
I am booked to travel long-haul through IST on Friday Jul 1. Just tried to rebook onto other carriers. As I booked through Expedia, I was referred from TK to the travel agent who finally informed me that the airline only allows date changes (onto other TK flights) and free refunds.
I am booked to travel long-haul through IST on Friday Jul 1. Just tried to rebook onto other carriers. As I booked through Expedia, I was referred from TK to the travel agent who finally informed me that the airline only allows date changes (onto other TK flights) and free refunds.
Jun 29, 2016, 12:27 am
#66
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CA
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,879
I'm at IST right now. I came in on TK 4 from JFK. We were not diverted. The crew made no announcements about the attack during the flight and said nothing after we landed. Just the normal "we hope you enjoyed your flight etc..." If I hadn't checked my phone i'd have no idea. The int'l connections area was a mess. Huge lines, people stranded. Absolutely bo one from TK around to let anyone know what's going on. Half the flights on the board are cancelled most of the others delayed. I got up to the lounge which was closed for a while before finally taking pax in. Again there are ZERO TK staff here who knows what's going on w flights. It's a complete zoo. For now my flight is on the board.
Jun 29, 2016, 12:47 am
#67
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,078
We went then again to the US, together this time, going MIA last Feb (with kids) and JFK last April (only the 2 of us), and we got no SSSS.
So, theoretically, simply transiting in IST with stopover or not, doesn't automatically get everyone the SSSS treat.
About the attack: I live in BRU. No place is 100% safe. The only difference between security before entering the airport and not, is that IST is again up and running few hours later. At BRU took a lot more.
No way to avoid casualties with any kind of security access screening, though...
Jun 29, 2016, 1:44 am
#69
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ZRH
Programs: A3 Gold, AY Silver
Posts: 458
My wife was scheduled to fly back home through IST on Friday. Her corporate TA advised her to just buy another ticket on another carrier, which is what she did (and get a refund for the return part of her original TK ticket). I interpreted the TK announcement to mean that rerouting onto other carriers would also be possible, but apparently that is not the case?
Jun 29, 2016, 2:03 am
#70
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: ZRH
Programs: LH
Posts: 414
Thanks for this info!
My wife was scheduled to fly back home through IST on Friday. Her corporate TA advised her to just buy another ticket on another carrier, which is what she did (and get a refund for the return part of her original TK ticket). I interpreted the TK announcement to mean that rerouting onto other carriers would also be possible, but apparently that is not the case?
My wife was scheduled to fly back home through IST on Friday. Her corporate TA advised her to just buy another ticket on another carrier, which is what she did (and get a refund for the return part of her original TK ticket). I interpreted the TK announcement to mean that rerouting onto other carriers would also be possible, but apparently that is not the case?
I would have cancelled and booked a new ticket but two days in advance there are no other options for less than double what I paid for my TK ticket.
Jun 29, 2016, 2:06 am
#71
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Posts: 517
Agreed. And the impact is greater if the bottleneck is targetted as we saw here and in BRU. Ironically, the solution may be faster security.
Jun 29, 2016, 2:08 am
#72
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Posts: 517
Jun 29, 2016, 2:54 am
#73
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 25
I've got TK Elite if that's relevant.
Jun 29, 2016, 4:54 am
#74
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 142
Flights are arriving and departing IST
My daughter is on the TK65 BKK -IST scheduled arrival 17:20 expected 16:45
Overnight connection to TLS ( I don't have this flight number )
TK in BKK advised that flights are continuing but my daughter wass advised to overnight in the airport. There are very long queues to exit and enter the airport due to enhanced security.
No taxis available at the airport.
My daughter is on the TK65 BKK -IST scheduled arrival 17:20 expected 16:45
Overnight connection to TLS ( I don't have this flight number )
TK in BKK advised that flights are continuing but my daughter wass advised to overnight in the airport. There are very long queues to exit and enter the airport due to enhanced security.
No taxis available at the airport.
Jun 29, 2016, 6:18 am
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,417
D@mn, d@mn, d@mn.
I have wanted to see Istanbul since I was 10 years old and read a book about a girl in the old part of the city. The TK fares from NYC to BCN had convinced me the detour to IST was worth it and I was ready to book our Thanksgiving trip to Spain via Turkey. I suspect my nervous companion will now insist on the AA direct flight to BCN.
So sorry for those killed and injured in this attack.
I have wanted to see Istanbul since I was 10 years old and read a book about a girl in the old part of the city. The TK fares from NYC to BCN had convinced me the detour to IST was worth it and I was ready to book our Thanksgiving trip to Spain via Turkey. I suspect my nervous companion will now insist on the AA direct flight to BCN.
So sorry for those killed and injured in this attack.
It reminds me of transiting Bogota (on my way to Quito) many years ago, when Columbia was pretty much at war with the drug cartels. Before I left the US, plainclothes customs agents did surveillance at our gate and then pulled people aside to question them. At Bogota, the airport was lined with anti-aircraft guns and there was all sorts of military at the airport. Was it safe? I don't really know, but I made it. I wouldn't have recommended doing the same.
EDIT: BTW, my family all got a temporary (2 month) TSA "SSSS" for a brief stopover at IST 18 months ago. I assume anyone doing the same these days would get a similar unpleasant souvenir (although you might not get one with a straight there-and-back to Turkey). That's enough of a disincentive to me not to visit IST right now. But I highly doubt anyone just transiting IST is going to be SSSS'ed.
Last edited by iahphx; Jun 29, 2016 at 6:27 am
