SNET Internet : Features : Survey : Air Travel Safety

Understandably, many people are reassessing their opinions of air travel safety in the wake of the events of September 11. But 59 percent of respondents to this weeks survey say either that "we can't be ruled by fear" or that flying is "even safer now."

The results:

Have your feelings about air travel changed as a result of the recent hijackings?

Yes, I won't get on a plane - 591 (12%)
Yes, I'm less likely to fly - 1,374 (29%)
No, we can't be ruled by fear - 1,770 (37%)
No, I think it's even safer now - 1,073 (22%)

Your comments:

"The airlines must have armed pilots or marshals on all aircraft. Why do CEOs of the airline industry try to make us think that no curbside check-in or other baggage checks will stop highjackers. Maybe these CEOs just justify their big salaries with this media hype, but they should be aware that the traveling public wants real action (Armed security on all aircraft) not window dressing." Ron, Thompson

"At this point, with concern about 9/22 as being a possibility of terrorists doing an additional act, I would rather drive or cancel any flight plans." P.T., North Stonington

"You forgot an option: 'I never flew, even before the terrorist attacks.' The 'experts' have always said that air travel is safer than ground travel because of the fact that 'fender-benders' are much less likely up in the air. But airplanes do stall or crash, and when they do, the end result is almost certain to be fatal (you can't 'plummet lightly' from thousands of feet up in the sky), unlike a car accident, where the accident has a 50-50 chance of being either minor or major." B.L., Watertown

"I picked that I am less likely to fly, but I also agree with I will not let the terrorists win. I will fly again. I just want to sit back and let things settle. I visit my niece at least a few times a year, and it is too far to drive. I wouldn't let anyone stand in the way of those visits. I am hoping that we react soon to these terrorists so that our lives can become more normal. I can not say that I am not afraid of what is going on, but I will not allow these people to ruin my life. They may have given me more reason to enjoy my life. You never know when it will end. I have faith in God, and the leaders of our country. I pray every day that we will end this terrible violence. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" L.J.N., East Haddam

"What happened Sept. 11,2001 was a very sad event. However we can not let these acts of our enemy control us. This is what he wants. If we do, he wins!" Hutch, Wallingford

"I will not let ungodly people put fear in my heart, I know that we Americans are God fearing people. I will be flying next week. United we stand - God bless America." C.F.M., Ellington

"I am not going to stop flying or change my life because of the recent events. However, I am a lot more alert to my surroundings and goings on near by. I think it is every American citizen's duty to keep our great country moving and to be cautious, alert and vigilant about the safety and security of our country and our fellow citizens.

If you stop your normal life, the terrorists win. You have to understand that they know they cannot topple a country like the USA but what they really seek is to inject fear and misery into our existence so that we have to live the way they make people in their own countries live. They want US to take away our freedoms out of fear and therefore defeat ourselves. They want us to ruin our own economy by not investing or spending money on things that keep us all working.

We should all be proud and supportive of our brave military and the brave intelligence personnel that we may never know about and wish them well as they embark on a mission to protect and serve their nation and all of us!!" D.D., Sherman

"I can't say if I had to fly that I would not fear highjackings, but I would say that we are safer then we were two weeks ago and I would not recomaned just stopping altogether" G.L., Guilford

"The highjackings haven't changed my initial feelings about flying. Flying has always made me nervous.I do feel however that the security does make me feel better about other passengers. I have always felt that airport security was a joke. Many times I have gone through a checkpoint and seen something go through without a glance. The people at the checkpoints aren't always focused on what their job is. Some of the hourly wage people should find some other job, and the security should be handled by the government for the safety of all." C.S.W.,Milford

"I am definately afraid to fly and would leave right now if I had the cash! Terrorists can strike anywhere, but we must continue on and not give in to our fear." Lisa, Plymouth

"May Allah help the person or people who attempt to hijack a plane that has me for a passenger!" Jon, Glastonbury

"The whole nation has been in some way affected by these terrorism attacks. I myself has been affected in a big way. As a single mother, I have been saving and would like to go to Florida to buy my first home. I have always hated flying, but did to get to my destination. Now you couldn't pay or assure me enough to even step foot in an airport. I have family in Florida who have never seen my 3 year old son yet. I planned a November trip and now I have cancelled it. I feel that we are safe nowhere in this world until we punish all terrorists and their followers. But even at that, their young children have already learned their horrific behavior. Will terrorism ever cease?" Michelle, Wolcott

"I think the airlines need to do better quaility investigating before they hire someone. Everyone is looking to cut cost so profits are showing larger returns so investors will invest in the airline company. Cheap labor/poor service. What is the price you put on ones life?

Pilots should have total control of their crafts once they are in flight. They have a lot of lives in their hands and I for one put my trust in those pilots for their knowledge. I don't think a pilot should be put in the hands of the public once in the craft. They have a job and an obligation to themselves and the public. They should have locked doors. Perhaps a form of steel and if need be a camera that gives them access views to the cabin throughout the journey. By no means should a pilot have to deal with that kind of stress on top of his regular job duties. No one should ever have access to that cockpit except the pilots.

The airlines also need to hire more competent people to do security. They make enough on tickets to hire better quaified people for the job. If they can't then the goverment needs to step in and take over the procedures of safety for the American people as well as for the people who travel to this country to see what it is all about. As a result of all this I will choose the airlines who really care about the safety of all first. Customer service consists of safety first. People need to stop selling out on their birthrights for the name of money. A lot of people suffer today because of the name of money and it has to stop somewhere. What is the price we put on all those people who were lost and the families that suffer today and everday? We can't! There is no price to be had. Just a great loss." C.L.L., Canterbury

Previous survey results are available.