# Should I cancel my Sunday flight due to FBI warning? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 12, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035 "2001-10-12T13:59:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/1 "2001-10-12T13:59:24Z")
I know this might be a bit ridiculous, but the vague and non-specific warning about “additional terrorist attacks in the next several days” has me really worried. On Sunday, I am flying from Columbus OH to Dulles in DC, and then from Dulles to Seattle. Should I just cancel my flight, or am I basically safe? I’m nervous, and scared. Do I have any basis for feeling this way, or am I just being a dork? Opinions, advice, helpful tips appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/2 "2001-10-12T14:07:49Z")
What? With all the security they have? Shucks, that must be the most secure place to be. Just be careful what you bring onn board. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/3 "2001-10-12T15:08:40Z")
I’m gonna agree with **handy** and say you’re being a dork. Of course, this is because my wife is jumping on a plane at 6 am tomorrow, and I want her to feel safe too 😉 Seriously, there have been vague warnings about future attacks ever since Sept 11. I wouldn’t be worried about any particular day. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/4 "2001-10-12T15:14:04Z")
Given the additional security and scrutiny of passengers right now, I think air travel is pretty safe. I flew last weekend, and on one of my flights, an FAA guy came onto the plane and took two guys off. No idea what the issue was, but it just shows that they are being extra careful, which is a good thing–of course, it delayed the flight, which made me miss my connection, but better late than, um, never. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/5 "2001-10-12T15:28:25Z")
Hell no. If they’re going to attack again, I don’t think it will be via plane. Their chances of success are just too small given the heightened security. I’m flying tomorrow (Saturday) myself. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/6 "2001-10-12T15:57:48Z")
OK, thanks, guys! I guess I just needed a bit of extra reassurance – you are all telling me pretty much the exact same stuff MrWhatsit has been saying too. Although he was somewhat less reassuring… “Hell, they’re not going for the planes! Next time will probably be some kind of bio-terrorism attack!” Er, thanks, hon. I feel better now…or something? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/7 "2001-10-12T16:39:43Z")
You might have a sky marshal on board. I think the person will be in plain clothes. I heard they are on random flights, but all flights in and out of Reagan National (DC). Have good flights, everyone. I’m doing the same next week. Bringing lots of reading material for the airport. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/8 "2001-10-12T22:33:27Z")
What airline you flying on? Israel Air? Iran Airways? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/9 "2001-10-12T23:00:21Z")
I agree with Cranky. If the terrorists are going to take another shot at us, it won’t be via a hijacking. After 9/11, anybody who tries to commandeer a jet is going to be strangled with an Airphone cord. (I’ve actually been thinking about the various possible tactics the terrorists might employ. I considered starting a thread, but I recognize I would be accused – perhaps correctly – of being morbid. So the horrible thoughts stay inside my head.) ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/10 "2001-10-13T01:14:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > What airline you flying on? Israel Air? Iran Airways? Um, no. What exactly is this comment supposed to mean? And thanks, Cervaise. I’ve been having similar morbid thoughts, and I’m sure you’re not the only one. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2001, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/11 "2001-10-13T01:36:50Z")
Well, I fly out on Tuesday. I’m nervous, I’m scared, etc. I had a dream last night that I was on a plane that was about to go down (not necessarily because of hijackers… I don’t know what happened) and I used my cell to call my nephew to tell him I love him and he’s my “favorite little buddy”. Every single person I know knows my flight number “just in case”. I purchased a $50,000 life insurance policy almost 3 weeks ago. (I needed one anyway. Yeah, that’s it.) And Monday will be the day that I call everyone in my family and all my friends just to say “Hey”, letting everyone know that I hold them very dear and making sure they all know that I love them. Monday night I will party. I will have more fun than any one person should be allowed. Tuesday morning I will make my parents breakfast in bed before they drive me to the airport. My whole family will make sure they are home that morning to I can hug and kiss them all. My plane will depart at 11:40am. At that moment, my brother has said he will light a joint in my name. (Yeah, he’s weird…) I’m sure I’ll be okay. I’m sure we’ll all be okay. But I’m crying like a little girl right now (inside… I’m not openly scared… can’t freak out my mom) at the thought of actually flying. So we’ll see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2001, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-cancel-my-sunday-flight-due-to-fbi-warning/87035/12 "2001-10-13T02:32:51Z")
**Silver Fire** , if you buy your airline tix with a credit card, check to see if flight insurance is included. For example, I think Discover Platinum gives half a mill. I’ve flown many times before Sept. 11th. Each time I assumed it could be my last simply because accidents occur. FWIW