good for you, chexfan. but let me ask you this, would you be dining at your favorite restaurant if they made it similarly difficult to get to the table? or getting you car serviced? i don't fly to "support an airline", as you put it. i fly because i need an easy way to get from point A to point B in a reasonable period of time, at a reasonable price, and without an unreasonable amount of hassle. the same standards i apply to just about any consumer product i purchase.

I heard a rumor of August 15th -- but the source wasn't completely reliable!

why don't they just start using that full body scanning system from total recall? the technology must exist by now...and the long waits would be eliminated.

total recall the movie??

I thought that was fiction http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[QUOTE]Originally posted by texana:

Traveling light and zipping around isn't fun any more.

Ditto

Fair enough. In my case it's easier to get from the west coast to the east coast by flying than any other way.

i understand your point, chexfan. there are still places that I am going to HAVE to fly to. but until recently there were places that I CHOSE to fly to, when I could have driven. The hassles and extra time it now takes for a short flight makes me reconsider what I CHOOSE to fly.

Let me give you an example in your area. Prior to the last few weeks, I would have flown SEA-PDX for a quick biz trip. Now I'd drive the 3 hrs each way. It takes no less time to drive now, and I avoid the agravation of have my briefcase inspected for needles, etc....

As stated many times, the choice to drive vs. fly for 2-5 hour trips is swinging towards driving. Coast to coast is another story. But, of those people that used to take multiple trips in a month, how many now take less and consolidate them, since they lose so many hours in the process? And how many had a trip that was not REQUIRED, but instead was a good idea, then they opted to just not bother? Airlines get less business, especially the high end fares. Less business gets accomplished. Trickle down economy continues.

I completely agree. Your example is a very legit one for the industry as a whole. But then again, you can use the special security line in SEA if you are flying to PDX. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

So to get back on topic, due to 9/11 I have missed one r/t and that was from EWR to SEA on 9/14 (and the subsequent return). This has amounted to about 12 trans-cons from SEA to BDL or EWR (most w/ a 3-5 day advance purchase), a trip to SFO and a run to SIN.

exactly, my long haul stuff won't change much at all. i'll still need to go to europe, so i have no real option. doesn't look like i'll be going back to khazakstan or turkmenistan in 2002 (that was an experience, lemme tell ya!), but hopefully i can get my contacts to meet me in London instead when I'm over there. But until a more "common sense" approach to security is taken, I'm going to avoid the rubber gloves whenever I can.

no stress -

do you think less business will really get accomplished, or will people look more local for both customers and suppliers?

i know i'm looking at a smaller catch area to find new customers. i might have to work a little harder, drive a little more, but in the long run it might pay off into more business without as much travel.

I am seriously considering 'stop flying more'! After the Paris AA fiasco, and getting searched and exrayed the past 24 hours on a return flight, the fun is gone.

In some cases, you are correct. Sometimes we think there is more business in ANOTHER city, and drive by the obvious down the street. But, in some cases, you can only do business with certain companies in remote cities. Quite often, especially with the bigger deals, national accounts type stuff.

because i only fly for personal reasons, there should not be any reason to stop. however, i've delayed a trip to antarctia that i wanted to do to see how this weekend trip dfw-lga will come out. how much hassle!

My experiences since 9/11 have not been that bad. A couple of long waits at SEA. STL was pretty hienous last Friday. Overall, I still enjoy the experience. I fly 1st or business a lot and have been AA elite for several years. I suppose my experience is just destined to be good.

The flying will probably increase next year. With customers in Europe, Southwest Asia, and Australia, I just have to go.

While going, I have to stay positive and enjoy it to the best of my ability. I am not sure I feel more, or less, safe. Just more aware of the threat, perhaps.