Are you reconsidering your travel plans after the latest terrorist attempt to blow up a plane in the U.S.? Does the thought of air travel in a world of ever-changing rules that seem like silly knee-jerk reactions leave you dazed and confused? Will you be swapping your baby boomer overseas adventure for an American road trip?
The travel blogging world is awash with advice, critiques and discussion of TSA’s changing regulations, new flying hassles and our government’s general ineptitude in dealing with the situation. Read Elliott.org for what to expect at the airport combined with the latest news on TSA regulations. Caitlin at Roaming Tales offers common sense suggestions on fixing airport travel security. My blogging friend Anil at FoxNomad speaks out on the subject from the perspective of a former security expert. And, on the BlogHer Travel column, Pam Mandel’s advice to CALM DOWN is right on. She’s gathered an excellent list of resources if you’d like to read more.
Did the Terrorists Win?
So, here’s my baby boomer take. We definitely need the advice on how to deal with security changes in air travel. Constructive critiquing of the event that has resulted in new security regulations will point out poor policies that need changing. That’s how we do it in our country, right? Speak out. But if analyzing, complaining, criticizing, ridiculing, griping or cajoling is all we do then the terrorists will have won. Why? Because it will tear down the travel industry, as well as our country, from the inside out. Perhaps a failed attempt is what the terrorists intended. If that plane had blown up over Detroit, we would have rallied around our government and tough travel security measures, at least for a month or two. Instead, the news is filled with how inept air security appears to be, how awful the new security measures are as well as reports that generally discourage people about air travel.
Is Air Travel Dead?
It could be if you let it. Will I stop my overseas travel adventures to avoid the flying hassles? Absolutely not. The clock is ticking for this baby boomer. I don’t know what will happen next year, or even tomorrow. Illness comes quickly to boomers, or a parent’s declining health or other life changes that might eliminate travel completely. I’m going while I can. Why? Because I want to see the world, understand the people who live in it and experience life to its fullest. More importantly, I don’t intend to let the terrorists win by changing the way I live my life.
What Can Traveler’s Do?
Deal with it. If you see me in a long airport security line waiting to fly to London or Singapore, I’ll keep the complaining to myself. I’ll check TSA regulations before my trip so that I know the rules. I’ll avoid packing items in my carry-ons that might arouse suspicion. I’ll smile when they pat me down. If I’m forced to sit in my seat the last hour of my international flight, I’ll think ahead, limit my liquid intake and use the facilities before it’s time to stay seated.
Now baby boomer travelers, it’s your turn. Do you have constructive ideas on how to maneuver through the new travel security rules? Post your tips. I’m not letting the terrorists end my travel fun. Are you with me?
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I'm not making any travel plans right now but that has nothing to do with the recent botched terrorist attack. Thanks for these site recommendations, which I'll pass on to my daughter, leaving for a honeymoon in Hawaii this weekend.
You are totally right, terrorists can not win, we just have to deal with it.
I am currently on my RTW and I will keep traveling, I just love it too much
I've no plans to travel to the US any time soon, but hope that things have calmed down a bit before I do. Good luck to all my North American friends who have to deal with this latest set of draconian changes.
This feels like the icing on the cake: we're not going to travel by plane for a good long while…
Even with the threat, air travel is still much safer than driving your car. I don't fly very often, but I would if I had somewhere to go.
Excellent piece, Donna. Thanks for trying to make some sense out of this for us. Happy New Year – Jen
I think your advice is right on–deal with it. We'll all have to deal with it. Seems like as soon as we get complacent, there's a reminder that there's a reason we still have to keep our liquids to several, little 3-ounce plastic containers and go through security checks, sometimes x2 or x3.
Honestly? I'd rather have my plane go down than stop traveling. You can't put your life on hold because of fear. It's still true that you are more likely to die in a car accident than in an airplane.
Donna – you hit the nail on the head. The best advise is to keep the complaining to yourself!
I always leave plenty of time for myself at the airport – always have as I get so nervous about being late. I bring a good book, catch up on email and enjoy a large cup of hot tea while waiting for my flight.
I really think it's when we leave too little time that we get so stressed out and pissy about the increased security measures.
Breeaathe…
I get SO TIRED of all the hoopla about plane bombings. Seriously, if “terrorists” have any brains at all, they're going to find an avenue other than air travel to hurt us. We are so vulnerable on so many fronts and it makes no sense to lock down just a handful of areas that may or may not be targeted again.
Fear tactics suck, especially when they come from your own government.
Air travel remains remarkably safe on any measure despite this latest event in Detroit. Much more dangerous is the ride to the airport in a car or taxi. While I dream of more practical security measures (a minister in Australia recently was quoted as saying that they were going to stop taking nail clippers and knitting needles off people so they can focus on securing the plane better – it is that attitude that perturbs travellers more). I agree with you Donna to follow guidelines, be pleasant to those implementing the rules and make the best of it you can.
The risk of terrorism on any mode of transportation is extremely low and good police and detective work can prevent almost all planned attacks. Doing things in the name of security without proper analysis (by the many, many trained security experts working in the US govt. and elsewhere) is dangerous for several reasons. Unnecessary costs, hassle to travelers, questionable security, and the erosion of privacy and rights.
I don't think it's bad to question security systems, in fact quite the opposite. The more scrutiny they're under the better they end up being. The fear and negative impact on the travel industry does nothing but help promote the aims of terror.
Nice editorial Donna. I appreciate your opinions. I traveled domestically and simply did what you said – read up on the ever changing regulations, and went to the airport early. I had no problems at all. I can't say that I agree with some of the new rules, but at the same time I think we all just have to be a little more patient in general in the US. It won't kill us.
Your safety should always be an important factor when making travel plans. Still, I agree that there is a world to explore and we owe it to ourselves to connect with as much of it as possible.
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