I would suggest that your answer can be found in the fact that most domestic commercial airlines (except for a few no-frills airlines like Southwest and JetBlue) are facing imminent bankruptcy, and not just because of increased fuel costs, but because they are flying empty planes.
I admit that I have flown as little as possible since 911. The reason has more to do with the "hassles" at the airport than a fear of terrorism.
U.S. airports look more like scenes from a banana republic than from "the home of the brave".
And I wonder just how much of a deterrent all the airport hassle really is?
The other thing about 911 that concerns me is certain aspects of the Patriot Act which, on reflection, seem terribly un-american. For example, the Act gives federal agents the right to "self warrant" when they "suspect" an occupant may be involved in criminal activity.
Well, that is blatantly unconstitutional. But my question is, who the heck writes this stuff?
By their own admission, most Senators did not even read the Act prior to voting yea!!
And the other disturbing part is that the Act was, and had been for years, waiting in the wings, as it were until something "like" 911 happened.
What up wit all dat??