Although fewer people are expected at the nation's airports, the hassles of flying on what are traditionally the heaviest travel days of the year promise to be extensive. Predicted delays at airports, coupled with a fear of flying engendered by the crash of American Airlines Flight 587, have caused some students to reconsider their Thanksgiving travel plans.
Airlines have advised passengers to arrive two hours before their scheduled departure time. Those flying out of Logan have been asked to arrive three hours ahead of time.
The delays are in spite of a decreased passenger load. The airline industry is bracing for 27 percent fewer air travelers compared to last year, according to the American Automobile Association. The Air Transport Association (ATA) reports that in October there were 22.3 percent fewer paying customers compared to the same period last year.
Denver native freshman Jill Friedman will not be flying home for Thanksgiving in the wake of the attacks. "My travel plans changed because I live so far away," she said. "I am going to visit family in Massachusetts instead of going home for Thanksgiving."
A CBS poll of 805 adults found that 42 percent were "not at all afraid" of flying, and another 31 percent were "bothered slightly." Many Tufts students say they are not worried about flying home. "I'm not worried about flying. The way I look at it, you can either get busy living or get busy dying," freshman Michael Cherney said.
The same poll found that 66 percent of Americans thought that airlines had "not done enough" to increase security, and 56 percent said the federal government had "not done enough" to make flying more safe.
"I have already flown to New York and Miami since Sept. 11 and it wasn't that bad," sophomore Jenise Sierra said. "It was a little scary with all the security guards but I am not afraid to fly home for Thanksgiving."
Amtrak, the only nationwide US rail service, is bracing for what might be the busiest Thanksgiving in its history. In addition to boosting its capacity, the company is borrowing trains from commuter rail services to meet increased demand. Amtrak will also operate many all-reserved trains along the densely populated northeast corridor.
"I'm taking the train home because my parents don't want me to fly," sophomore Lauren Amira said. "I tried to get Amtrak tickets back to Tufts but they were already sold out, so I'm taking Amtrak home and driving my car back."
On Friday, the US House and Senate passed the Aviation Security Bill by a margin of 410-9. The bill makes baggage screeners federal employees, and requires all checked luggage to undergo inspection. Fares are expected to rise substantially to pay for the increased security.
After Jan. 1, taxes and fees for passengers will include a new security fee of up to $10 per roundtrip ticket, a 7.5 percent domestic ticket tax, a $3 per-person, per-flight segment fee, and a maximum of $18 in airport passenger facility charges, according to the ATA. Airlines will also be required to pay an additional $4 per passenger, on average, to the government to cover security screening costs.
