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Adapting to air travel in turbulent times

United States gets a hang of new security measures following a recent terrorist threat to transatlantic travel

  • The Christian Science Monitor
  • Published: 00:00 September 2, 2006
  • Gulf News

Airports, airlines, and passengers in the US have adapted quickly to new security measures following a terrorist threat to transatlantic travel.

Have Americans found their sea legs as travelers in stormy times? Flexibility is the watchword. But an averted tragedy also shows air travel can be made still safer.

Not much more than a week ago the summer vacation season was all about high gas prices and crowded planes. Now Americans are expressing their gratitude that an apparent plot to detonate liquid explosives aboard several flights between Britain and the US was discovered and thwarted last week.

Grumbling about stepped up security inconveniences - from the mandatory removing of shoes to a greater likelihood of being hand-searched to a much longer list of banned carry-on items is understandable. But the vast majority of passengers has shown flexibility and patience.

While Britain is still experiencing some travel disruptions, security line waiting times at US airports seem to have returned to previous levels.

The "new normal" may have arrived more quickly than we might have expected. Some travelers even point out that it's probably safer than ever to fly because of the heightened security.

The new ban on bringing most liquids and gels into the passenger cabin is likely to stay in effect for some time. That may mean more passengers reluctantly decide to check bags.

Few but the most tolerant travelers enjoy their stay at the baggage carousel, which can seem to turn like a wheel of fortune. Will luggage be sent to Seattle instead of St. Louis? Will it show up at all?

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