Before September 11, few Americans thought twice about hopping on a plane for a vacation or a business
trip. Now, many of us are afraid to fly. Air travel is down about 20% compared with this time last year.
Given new security measures, are our fears justified? We asked air-safety expert Mary Schiavo for her view...
Has the new attention to security made air travel safer?
Not yet. All the threats are still there, which is why a guy with a shoe bomb was allowed to get on a plane as
recently as last December. Security procedures vary dramatically from airport to airport. Baggage still is not
being searched with any consistency.
Security personnel still believe they can tell who the criminals are just by looking at them. Also, they are so
focused on confiscating little things like tweezers that they are ignoring bigger threats. For example, they
should be asking travelers to turn on laptop computers to make sure they’re not bombs in disguise.
In addition, there’s the problem of disgruntled security personnel. When the federal government takes over
airport screening from private security companies next November, many employees will be laid off. People in
imminent danger of losing their jobs tend to slack off. That certainly doesn’t help the security situation.
But isn’t it safer now that airlines match bags to passengers?
No. Matching prevents a terrorist from checking a bomb and then disappearing. But matching is only being
done on the first leg of the trip. In 1988, Pan Am flight 103 exploded on the second leg. The terrorists didn’t
reboard after a stopover. Their bags stayed on and exploded when the plane reached a certain altitude the
second time.
Also, as we all well know, some terrorists are quite willing to die in the plane with everyone else.
Eventually, all luggage will be screened for explosives. But that’s probably five years away.
Do you see security improving?
Things should improve now that John Magaw is undersecretary for transportation security. He has had
success as director of both the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
What about foreign airports?
Countries that have had frequent trouble with terrorism have beefed up security. Israeli airports, in particular,
have top-notch security. Of course, Israel also has an above-average chance of being targeted by terrorists.
British, Japanese and South Korean airports are among the most secure in the world.
What precautions should air travelers take when packing carry-on bags?
Don’t pack anything in carry-on luggage that could be considered a weapon. In the past three months, I have
had my tweezers, fingernail clippers, plastic comb, metal pen and safety pins confiscated.
Is there anything air travelers can do to avoid being singled out for searches by airport security?
Do everything you can to avoid setting off metal detectors. People who do are subjected to extra security --
even if the detector simply picked up a belt buckle.
Recently, my necklace set off an alarm. Although we established that the necklace was to blame, security
personnel searched everything from my change purse to my shoes.
Remove metal items -- larger pieces of jewelry, key rings, belts, etc. -- before going through the metal
detector.
Other security red flags include having a one-way ticket, buying a ticket with cash, traveling without luggage,
recent visits to suspect countries and excessive nervousness.
How early should passengers get to the airport to make sure they catch their flights?
I used to breeze into the airport just before my flight. Now I get to busy airports two hours in advance -- for
domestic and international flights. Even with this two-hour cushion, I nearly missed my plane on one recent
trip out of Washington Dulles International Airport.
The major variable is the number of airport personnel on duty. Unfortunately, this is not something a traveler
can find out in advance.
There is one airport where you can rely on short lines -- Ronald Reagan Washington National in Washington,
DC. For security reasons, the number of flights has been reduced -- National’s flight paths are near key
government buildings, including the White House, the Pentagon and the US Department of State. The capital
region’s other big airports -- Dulles and Baltimore Washington International -- often have worse lines as a
result.
Are there any particular airlines to avoid?
US Airways and America West are in poor financial shape. Even with the government’s bailout plan for the
industry, financial analysts say those airlines may go under. They’re as safe as any other airline, but you may
end up with a ticket for a defunct carrier. Of course, if you get a great fare on one of these airlines, it could be
worth taking the chance.
If you have frequent-flier miles or other credits, this might be the time to cash them in. I was stuck holding
worthless credits when Braniff International Airlines and Eastern Airlines met their ends.
Aside from the government take-over of security, what is the biggest change you expect this year?
We are going to see more corporate travelers switching from commercial airlines to private jet services.
Currently, business travelers pay a premium, then spend hours in airports losing time that could be spent
more productively.
A typical corporate jet with room for 12 passengers costs anywhere from $4.5 million to $50 million. But
fractional ownership -- which entitles subscribers to a certain number of flight hours per year -- runs $1
million or more annually.
If business travelers abandon them, the airlines will lose their most profitable passengers and higher fares
for vacationers will result.
