I am 9 and a half hours from what was meant to be my scheduled flight to the USA (Boston via NY), from Ireland. The horror of this week has impacted everyone all over the world. Today, in Ireland, we have had a National Day of Morning during which practically every company and entertainment function has remained closed. My trip has been planned for some time and I am under severe ressure to cancel dur to the ‘danger’.
My opinion is that it would be wrong for me to cancel and that to do so would be surrendering to the very forces that have caused such an outrage. In addition, the courage of the American People to continue with what they can do after having suffered such horror should be supported by positive action and not by hiding behind false security and geographical location.
I do not know whether I will actually have a flight tomorrow or not, but I am prepared to continue trying until Monday. Are my thoughts of solidarty misguided - should I simply stay at home and travel sone other time, or should I say no to the cowards who have tried to stop the world and support the courage of the USA. Your comments please.
Although you asked, I won’t say. It would be presumptuous to suggest whether or not you should take your life in your hands.
I’ve been reading the responses to the tragedy on this board, and it ranges from indifference to hide-under-the-bed-and-don’t-come-out.
If it’s any help, one opinion as to why domestic cross-country flights were chosen was that these planes would have the most fuel. Can’t imagine that a transatlantic flight with most of its fuel tanks empty would offer as tempting a target.
Whatever you decide, no one should say boo about it. It’s your choice.
OK, this may sound a bit weird. But my reasoning is the other way around: with security checks and law enforcement as they are right now, there has never been a safer time to fly to the US (or in the US, perhaps). Currently only American carriers are allowed to land in the US. I’m sure that my Alitalia flight on October 19 will be allowed in by then, and I for one am not afraid at all.
Granted, I don’t live in the U.S., but I will be traveling in a little over two weeks to Europe. And unless things get really hairy in the meantime, I have every intention of getting on that plane. I won’t let anybody intimidate me. I’m not sure what I’d be saying if I lived in the U.S., though.
I have now spent two days trying to get to he US. Tomorrow will be the last attempt. It is clear that most people are now afraid and only those who need to return home or may be people like me determined not to give in are still trying.
Naturally US citizens stranded since Tuesday are being accommodated first and by tomorrow the backlog should be cleared for them.
I hope the next tim I check the Straight Dope it will be from the US.
I’m flying out the US next month and as long as they’ll let me, I’m going. I’m worried but not afraid - security has rarely been tighter. Just you try to keep me away from Dopetoberfest
