I just read that some airline flights have more cancellations than passengers. Have we become such a bunch of whiney self-centered wimps that we're afraid to fly?

What has happened to the thousands of US flights taking off since the Iraq war? Nothing! And even if one gets (god forbid) blown out of the sky, getting on a plane the next day will still be vastly a more safer venture than getting in your car to go to drive across town!

Have to agree. The idea of cancelling a flight for worry of war while seemingly rational just isn't going to be why i might fly less. Give me a reason and available time and I'm anywhere in the world. Granted, I might spend more time swiveling my head around but certainly going to go.


P.S. csb, you might want to update your email address on file with FT. I sent you notice that i moved your post here and it bounced back....

I think most people are very timid.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Randy Petersen:
Granted, I might spend more time swiveling my head around but certainly going to go.


We planned our first trip to Europe (going mid April) almost a year ago. While we may be a little un-easy, we are definately going! Rome for 3 days then a 12 day cruise ending up in London and spending 2 days there before returning home.

I never worry about flying.

I worry every day driving to work on the LA freeways.

This is probably the wrong place to ask. I doubt you'll find many folks here who've canceled their travel plans.

Right you are Wingless. Other than the current death toll in Iraq, Los Angeles County has far more killings than any country in the middle east.

The fact that American's are afraid to go to the middle east is almost laughably ignorant. Yet it's very unfunny that nearly every American I talk to is convinced that the middle east is dangerous.

twcrossroads.com had some travel agents discussing a cancelled trip for senior cheerleaders in the Dallas area. Seems the superintendant cancelled because of terrorism fears. They were going to that notorious hot-bed of terrorist activity- Corpus Christi.

Ok, you have shamed me into going to the Bahamas the first week in May. I shall tell my husband and friends (flying in from the UK) that we now MUST go as I don't want to be considered a wimp by my FlyerTalk friends. It's tough having to do this but I shall shoulder the burden and try not to get a sunburn. But if I do get a sunburn it's all your fault.

And just to show I'm no scaredy-cat we will fly American.
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Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

[This message has been edited by MoreMilesPlease (edited 03-28-2003).]

To respond on a serious level, I believe we have a whole generation of wimps. We have a generation of citizens who have had their parents try to make life wonderful for them. Thus they are not aware of the sacrifices the generation before them made in order to provide that. They protest every military action and do not realize the consequences their children will pay for their unwillingness to take chances and to be brave in order to protect and provide for the future. The fear of flying is only the most minute part of it but symbolic of the cowardice that prevails in every aspect of our lives. Sorry to sound so pessimistic but it's what I see.

Cancel and lose out on miles? BLASPHEMY!





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Couldn't agree more. I came over here right after booking BOS-LHR-BOS for next week on aa.com.

As a European, I'm fascinated by this train of conversation.
In no way are Americans wimps. Witness the 200k troops currently in the Middle East. However, there are obviously issues surrounding willingness to fly.
My big concern is that as people decide not to fly....airlines go out of business..and when they decide that they DO want to fly, prices are increased and destinations are reduced, making the practicality of travel a self-fulfiling prophesy.
IMHO the decision not to fly at the moment is not bourne out of rational judgement. I can understand it, but only on an emothional level.
Obviously 9/11 has shown us that bad things happen to innocent people on regular flights and on the ground.
However, looking at pure statistics, the chances of a similar thing happening again are tiny. Do the people who are not flying, also avoid going into high-rise buildings?
I believe that the world is not even "less safe" than it was before....it is just that we are more aware of the threats to us.
There are two sorts of life that people can lead:
1) Avoid all risks
2) Cautious - be aware that risks are everywhere, but lead life as you want to live it.
I ride a motorcycle - something that is more likely to lead to my demise than anything else that I do. However, the pleasure that it brings me, outweighs the danger that I know it brings to me.
Travel is exactly the same. Evaluate it rationally together with the pleasure or fulfilment that it brings to you.

The ability to travel the world cheaply and easily is a real gift to our generation. In the next 2 months, I will be traveling to Russia, Vegas and France (on holiday), and possibly Japan (on business). There is no way that I would let the current world order interfere with my plans.

Some flyers must of spent their disposible income on duck tape.

A lot of it is the "panic" mentality which I blame on the media - everything is "breaking news". There is even "breaking news" now that you have to wait for the commercial. Just a couple days ago I couldn't believe "Breaking news - an X happened @ Y" - details after this break". Pleeeeeeez. Regardless of what you think about Michael Moore or Bowling for Columbine, the point he makes regarding the above mentality is very true. Hordes of people across the country running out to buy duct tape?

I don't think we are inherently that stupid, just grossly uneducated. As far as myself, many months ago I decided that 2003 was going to be a year of spending miles and points, and saving some $. I am as likely to go to the middle east now as I was a year ago - 0%. I have no desire to go to Europe now, and I don't know if world events have any impact on this, but I'm sure if I run out of tea, London would be on the itinerary shortly....