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 Travel & Outdoors | August 2006 
Air Travel in Times of Terror
 ABC News
| | Ginger McKinney transfers intended carry-on items into her checked luggage at the El Paso airport last week. (Victor Calzada/El Paso Times) |
With news of a mass murder terror plot in the skies, many people are having second thoughts about traveling.
Don't worry, in an effort to be respectful of their customers' concerns, many airlines are offering special travel change policies for the next several weeks.
For example, American Airlines is offering travelers the option to push back their original date of travel as late as Sept. 1, 2006, for any ticket issued August 9 or earlier, free of charge.
In addition, if you want to cancel your plans altogether, you can request a refund in the form of a travel voucher on nonrefundable tickets - again for no fee.
If you are having second thoughts about traveling, it definitely pays to contact your airline directly to learn the specifics on its policies.
If you still plan to travel, expect longer lines for checking baggage and getting through security.
You should contact your airport or airline ahead of time to figure out how early you should arrive at the airport.
Some airports, including those in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, are recommending that passengers arrive at least two hours in advance of domestic flights.
Lower Airfares?
For those thinking about future travel, you may find that if airfares go anywhere, they'll go down.
Fares are currently at their highest price point since 2000.
However, it is unlikely there will be an immediate drop in fares.
There should be a reprieve in fares after Labor Day because of decreased demand following the summer holidays.
A long-term decline in fares will depend on how hassled travelers will feel, given the new security requirements.
If a major carrier like United or American Airlines thinks fewer people are going to fly and decide to drop prices, others will likely follow.
The airline industry is operating on thin ice, despite American, United, Continental and US Airways posting positive second quarter earnings for the first time in years.
The airlines that will suffer the most from this latest terror scare are going to be those based abroad, like British Airways.
On Thursday, shares of British Airways were down more than 5 percent.
American and United have the most at risk financially because they are the two largest U.S. carriers serving Heathrow Airport in London and were two of the airlines targeted in the terror plot.
More New Rules for Air Travelers
LATimes
The alleged terrorist plot uncovered last week has changed the rules for travelers yet again. British authorities arrested about two dozen people suspected of plotting to blow up airliners flying from Britain to the U.S. Liquid explosives reportedly were to have been taken onboard in beverage and other containers, and then detonated with electronic devices.
The U.S. reacted by prohibiting passengers from taking liquids and gels into aircraft cabins, and Britain banned carry-on bags entirely. The measures threw airline travel into chaos as passengers coped with longer-than-usual security lines. At LAX, hundreds spilled onto sidewalks outside terminals Thursday morning. By Friday, LAX officials said, "near-normal wait times" had returned.
As of the Travel section's extended deadline Friday, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration had implemented these rules for flights originating in the U.S., according to its website:
• Passengers were forbidden to take liquids or gels in carry-on luggage. This includes hand lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and many kinds of makeup. Those items will need to be disposed of before boarding or be packed into checked luggage. Exceptions were being made for baby formula, prescription medications and some medical items needed for the duration of the flight.
• Drinks purchased in the boarding area were to be consumed or discarded before boarding.
In addition, British authorities imposed other restrictions on flights originating in Britain. Among them:
• Carry-on bags were banned. But passengers were allowed to hand-carry some items, including travel documents, prescription medicines needed for the flight, infant food and supplies, wallets and pocket-sized purses (but not handbags) in a single, preferably clear plastic bag.
• Electronic devices, including laptops, MP3 players and cellphones, had to be placed in checked luggage.
British Airways said it was banning carry-on baggage on Britain-bound flights from the U.S.
Canada said it was following TSA rules for its flights.
Some U.S. airlines advised passengers to arrive up to three hours before their flights, whether domestic or foreign, to allow for increased security.
United, Continental and American were among airlines that waived change fees for some ticketed customers traveling until Sept. 1. Passengers should check with their airline for details. A list of contacts can be found at latimes.com/carriers. Other helpful sites:
TSA: http://www.tsa.gov . Federal Aviation Administration: http://www.faa.gov . LAX: http://www.lawa.org . Heathrow Airport: http://www.heathrowairport.com . British Airport Authority: http://www.baa.co.uk . |
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