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by Susan Breslow Sardone

This article was published on September 13, 2001.

At 11 a.m. EST on September 13, 2001, two days after the hijacking of four American airliners and the destruction of the World Trade Towers, the U.S. Department of Transportation allowed national airspace to reopen.

According to the statement released on the 13th by Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta,

"I must caution everyone that a system as diverse and complex as ours cannot be brought back up instantly. We will re-open airports and resume flights on a case-by-case basis, only after they implement our more stringent levels of security. This phased approach will assure the highest levels of safety, which remains our primary goal.

"Anyone planning on flying should check with their airline regarding the level of service and flight schedules, and be sure to allow plenty of time to deal with our new security procedures. There will be some inconveniences, but safety will be the first element of our system to be restored."

Despite the reopening of the skies to commercial carriers, travel is likely to be difficult for the foreseeable future. According to Reuters,

"It will likely be some days before air travel returns to full operation. Information from airports, airlines, and government agencies continues to change frequently."

The recent detention of individuals with fake identification at JFK and LaGuardia Airports resulted in the shut-down of those facilities -- and the delay of a return to normalcy.

IF YOU'RE SCHEDULED TO FLY...

If you have plans to travel within the next 48 hours, contact the travel agent, customer service department, or an airline representative where you bought your tickets. If your plans are scheduled beyond 48 hours, hold off calling so that others with more immediate concerns can get through to overburdened call centers. Expect to spend time waiting on hold, as call volume is heavy. Some helpful numbers:

Airline Toll-Free Numbers

Only for customers who purchased tickets from any of the following:

Expedia: 800-EXPEDIA, 404-728-8787
Orbitz: 888-656-4546
Travelocity: 888-709-5983

WHAT IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL?

According to the Seattle Times,

"Consumers who have developed an understandable fear of flying as a result of the terrorist attacks using commercial airliners as lethal weapons can get full refunds, even on typically nonrefundable tickets."

"On the whole, the industry is being "very accommodating," observed Anita Dunham-Potter, a travel writer for Smarter Living and About's former Air Travel Guide. "I think they understand this is a catastrophic event, and want to handle it in the best possible way for consumers," she said.

"Delta and American airlines are offering no-questions-asked refunds for all ticketed customers on flights through Tuesday."

NEW SECURITY MEASURES

Expect to see many changes in the way we travel. "Travelers may experience some inconveniences," Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta cautions. "We ask for your patience. But we must do whatever it take, with safety as our highest priority."

According to Time Magazine,

"The Federal Aviation Administration vows to increase security at all U.S. airports by employing more plainclothes security personnel, sweeping airports with bomb-sniffing dogs, discontinuing curbside check-in and increasing the occurrence of random ID checks. Airports will also vigilantly tow any unauthorized vehicle parked within 300 feet of a terminal."

THE NEW RULES

- To permit tighter security procedures, including thorough checks of all airplanes and airports before passengers are allowed to enter and board aircraft, travelers must arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before a domestic flight and longer for international flights.

- Conveniences such as valet parking and off-site airport check-ins will be discontinued.

- At check-in, the FAA requires a photo ID, paper ticket, or printed passenger receipt. (E-ticket customers should print a receipt to bring to the airport.)

- Only passengers with boarding passes will be permitted beyond screening checkpoints.

- No more going straight to the gate: Anyone who flies will have to check in at a ticket counter first.

- Boarding areas will be restricted to ticketed passengers only.

- All carry-on baggage is subject to search.

- No knives of any kind or size will be allowed on planes.

FUTURE TRAVEL

According to Travelocity,

"Travel suppliers are accepting bookings for travel in the next few days. However, we can not guarantee when flights and other travel will return to regular schedules. If your plans include travel in the next few days, please check our site regularly for updates."

Clearly, many honeymooners and leisure travelers will curtail plans for the short-term. I imagine some will opt to stay closer to home and use transportation other than planes. Others may postpone trips indefinitely. This will doubtless have an impact on the travel industry as a whole.

For many countries around the world, including the United States, tourism is a key source of income. In the weeks and months to come, every couple who boards a plane and flies to their planned destination makes a statement to international terrorists. Their actions underscore Americans' resolve not to be intimidated by faceless cowards -- and their confidence in the future.

Aside from new restrictions and the minor inconveniences they will cause, there's no compelling reason to cancel plans -- as long as you make every effort to travel safely. If you plan to fly outside the country, familiarize yourself with the State Department's Travel Warnings & Consular Information Sheets.

Should you change plans if they involve travel to or through New York City? The city is still reeling from this catastrophic, once-in-a-lifetime event. Yet its citizens are eager to return to normalcy, and each passing day will bring it closer.

Perhaps the words of Mayor Rudolph Guiliani will help you make your decision:

"We're going to rebuild. We're going to come out of this stronger than we were before. Emotionally stronger, politically stronger, economically stronger."

Text copyright © 2001 Susan Breslow Sardone. All rights reserved.