Over the past few days, the level of "flaming" on this board has been rediculous -- particularly from posters who came out of the woodowork with one post, never to be heard from before or again. I know I subject myself to that same treatment now, but this needs to be said.

What happened Tuesday to my city, my country and my planet is absolutely disgusting. There are no words that adequately convey my outrage over these incidents. When something like this hits so close to home - it really makes you feel scared. And vulnerable. And angry.

What I can't seem to understand, however, is how come every single post that mentions anything about flying for business, pleasure, or the attainment of miles is now told they are "insensitive" or "petty" or "get a life." (Bad sentence, I know, don't have time to fix it.)

This board is for those that LOVE TO FLY and LOVE the rewards that come with it. For me to board a plane next Saturday -- and get 1000 q-miles out of the process is not disrespectful of the memories of those slaughtered - a couple of whom I happened to know. Many of my friend's families have been touched by this - I don't think anyone living in NYC hasn't been.

But take away my joy of flying? Take away the thrill you get when you achieve a new elite status level? Heavens, why? What does that accomplish?

I'm not saying we should all forget this happened, and call AA/UA trying to find ways to get free upgrades or bonus miles. I'm also not saying we shouldn't cancel non-essential travel this week, so that those trying to just get home, can. But these airlines have been our partners for a long time - let's not consider it to be in "poor taste" to want to fly them.

Flame away.

Best, Lewis

I applaud your efforts of being brave Lewis and making a statement. I would not say that we are bad people because we enjoy flying. Some of us have viewed this as a hobby and we have not had bad intentions with the exception of trying to get upgrades on a $100 weekend fare.

Even though I will be flying less, I will continue to fly. It will not be as fun doing mileage runs anymore. When airlines were making profits, delaying us at gates for hours on end and not providing effective customer service; mileage runs seemed like our way of getting back at the airlines for canceling our flights, changing their FF programs with little or no notice, taking away our SWUs, etc.

But all in all, remember that we provide revenue to the airlines. We are a collection of strangers with interesting names that either show our hobbies or interests or our loyalty to a particular airline or hotel program. We are a community and I was touched to see people whose handle I recognized, email me to see if I was alright in Washington.

------------------
"Fly me to the moon and let me earn alot of miles."

Here's another thing to consider...

This tradegy is going to have a significant impact on all airlines. Perhaps what we should do is rally and show support for the airlines we so much love to fly by flying with them! We should save our points for when things have recovered and pay for our trips so that we can infuse some revenue into airlines. If we don't airlines might fail and then we do lose.

Right on, phoenixitc. I am itching to get back on a paid flight. Two of my excuses in the next two weeks have been cancelled already, but one remains, and I'm hopeful it will all the way through that date.

There are obviously going to be enough leisure travellers postponing trips, especially if we start getting into a war-like footing (remember Desert Storm). Those of us who can travel, like to travel...should travel to show we will not be beaten.

LewDog:

I wholeheartedly agree. The sooner that I can get on a plane to enjoy the ability to travel, one of America's great freedoms, the better. Although, I cancelled my non-essential travel this weekend, in truth I really didn't want to because I want to fly as it is my act of defiance to the terrorists. Like many others, however, after checking ITN and seeing the all flights in and out of my destination were completely packed, I realized that there are plenty of people that need those seats.

Yes, some FTer's feel that folks are being "petty" by talking travel, miles, etc. Please be aware, however, that some people cope with tragedy by attempting to return to normal as soon as possible. We all will deal with this great national injury in different ways. Let's try not to make people feel bad for coping in the manner that they do.

God Bless America!

CWPFLY

I too love to fly and did so this morning (well, it actually supposed to be this morning, but we were a bit late...). I'm going to be on flights at least 6 times more this month, including a pleasure trip. I fly primarily for business, and the most important thing I can do to help now is support the economy and continue to do my job. I also intend to give blood, make a cash donation, and buy stock on Monday. I wish I could go to New York and help out, but for me its not realistic.

I will admit, I did feel a bit guilty about upgrading this morning, but I couldn't figure out a good reason for it. I'll continue to fly and probably try and rein in my cynicism for United, which prior to this week had been brimming.

I would like to comment on a few comments made here, so forive me if this is a bit off-topic. I rarely use my miles for a ticket for myself. As a 1K, I want to ensure that I maintain my status for the year and after that want the 100% bonus miles and any "specials" which may come up during the year, in addition to the free upgrades (500's and HK49's) I can earn. I still have over 900,000 miles in my account but I used over 300,000 this year for gifts to my employee, my family and other friends, none on myself. What are other peoples' thoughts on this? Just curious. Thanks.

Gotta agree. Probably the most uplifting thing I've seen all week was this afternoon, driving up 101N past SFO. With a huge roar, a
UA 744 cleared the road at about 1-200 feet altitude, gear still going up, powering into the fog. Both myself and the friend who was driving us cheered and clapped.

I have loved flying all my life and still do.
I managed to get a short-term contract a few weeks ago and have been waiting for the check to show up so I can get on a plane and go see my girlfriend.
I will relish this even more in the weeks ahead.I will probably look at the process
differently, but being one whose earliest memories are of going to pick up relatives at the airport and learning to read by reading books about planes, I can't imagine ever having to just completely stop. The miles are
great and I love upgrades just as much as the next guy, but there's just something about breaking contact with the ground even when you're stuck in 21B on a 737.

It's such a great thing we have in this country. Even with the extra security measures, we can still travel to any part of our nation, from one end to the other in a single day. No papers, no documents, no permissions needed(yet). Just plunk down your money and go. No matter who you are or where
you're going. Take that away, and they really have won.

JD

[This message has been edited by Jet'Dillo (edited 09-15-2001).]

Lewdog and Cwpfly. I essentially agree with soe if not all that you say. I think that people have to deal with these sorts of horror as best as they can. No one thinks that it is wrong to talk of these things, and most of us adore flying.

I have been here a year now, and I value this place greatly. I have learnt much and wondered in amazement at some things. I have met some amamzing people and some have become dear and valued friends. I think that I would have felt that worrying about miles, points, mileage runs, and so on at that time would be like visiting a bereaved family and conducting a chat about the price of the coffin. It would be regarded as bad taste.

Similarly, it was not the notions but the timing that was out. Give us all a little while and we'll regard them as important again. just for now, I feel that such things are a little superfluous.

One small question - please do not think that I am tryng to be rude - would you want the wife of someone killed on Tuesday to read that that all we think about at such times is this? How would they feel? You get my drift.

Tomorrow we'll all be back to normal, and if not tomorrow maybe the day after that. Bear with us if we seem a bit testy. YOu are right in that life must go back to normal, I am just not quite sure how "normal" normal is going to be from now on.

I will be in the system again next week. The events of the last few days are going to change how people fly - as the new regulations get broken in it will get better.

LewDog, I think you are confusing what may be the the reason for these flames, as you call them. I don't think there is any objection to individuals who want to get back on a plane as soon as it is possible to do so safely. There are many good reasons why we, as a country, need to get back in the air.

Paul Palmer summarizes some of my thoughts pretty well, so I'll try not to repeat.

Loving airplanes, flying, and the pursuit of frequent flier miles is one thing. We should all appreciate the people, activities and memories that we cherish not just in times of crisis but all the time. However, when people talk about their pocketbooks taking a hit (whether cash or that other currency, FF miles, commonly mentioned on FT) and/or how they may be inconvenienced by the new-but-little-too-late security measures within 24-72 hours of this local, national, and international tragedy, I have every right to be offended.

The scale of Tuesday's tragedy is beyond comprehension. And we saw it with our own eyes in real time. The people of this country are on edge (as for me, a native New Yorker, I am just in shock).

I agree that it is good to have distractions from the 24/7 coverage of the tragedy. Thinking about flying and one's love for travel is a legitimate outlet, and there is never anyhing wrong with that. Having FT as a outlet has also helped me a great deal, because it is a community first and a forum on aviation issues second. But let us also remember that some people will take longer to "return to normal" than others. So, I hope that we can continue to be a little more sensitive and less inwardly focused in our comments for the time being.

[edited out of respect to those that are coping differently than I am]

[This message has been edited by fallinasleep (edited 09-15-2001).]

I plan on getting back into the system as soon as the delays start to settle down. I ended up driving SYR-ORD after waiting 72 hours for a flight back after my diversion. I wasn't flying next week anyway, and am supposed to fly on the 24th.

I fully intend to fly, as long as AA demonstrates that they can get a reasonable number of planes to my destination next week. If they can't demonstrate that, I'll have to take Amtrak overnight. It's not that I'm afraid to fly, I'm just risk-adverse to cancellations at smaller stations.

Will I fly purely for leisure? Domestically, yes as long as the security and delays are not so much of a hassle to make a leisure trip inconvenient. Internationally, it depends what the US military response is and how the world is either supporting or condemning it.

these are all great comments -- please speak up and tell the airlines, your congresspeople, your senators. Your freedom and your flying is definitely in danger. We must speak up.

I think this is a good time to insist that all that federal ticket-tax money get used on things like airport security, upgrading air-traffic control, and other airport or air-travel related projects, rather than piling up to add to the surplus or shrink the deficit. The mishandling of that has been very underreported.

Airlines are starting to sound the alarms and poor-mouth a lot. Some is justified, but the airlines have always worked to shift security costs to airports and the public sector as much as they can, and I see a lot of what they're doing as more of the same strategy.

What passengers must beware of is attempts to add still MORE new taxes in the name of security. My recent mileage-run tickets have been about 30% tax. It's time they spent the money that's already being paid in properly before they start saying they need more.

The federal government and state and local goverments have increasingly been using travel taxes as a cash cow for unrelated projects (how many sports stadiums have your car rents helped finance?) Now that people are set to avoid flying in droves, the cruelest irony is that by driving instead, many more will die (since driving has a much higher fatality rate per mile). Be sure to remind your congressman of that.