Afraid to fly since 9/11?

Stephen Kramer, Cartoonist ^ | 9/27/03 | Stephen Kramer

[Rushmore Rocks]

Mr. Rushmore and I travel to Europe or Asia every four to six weeks. Easiest airport to get through...Dulles, Washington DC. Toughest....Pudong, Shanghai...Berlin...Tel Aviv, Rapid City, SD. Most unreliable....Tarom, out of Bucharest. But they are the only airline that allows smoking!! Mexican airports are alot of fun but frightenly lax. They still use the "red light..green light" system. Best food...anywhere out of this country. Personally, I really appreciate the tightened security. In all our travels, we have never been hassled or mistreated in any way. From what I have been reading in this thread, this may be an exception.

[js1138]

I have a recently aquired fear of airports, having been strip searched just to accompany my wheelchair bound father in law to the terminal. But I have never been afraid of flying. I suppose It depends on whether you are afraid of death.

[sandlady]

You were stripped to your underwear? What airport?

[sandlady]

No you're not an exception. Some of us are just louder than others. :)

[js1138]

not that bad. I just had to remove my shoes and belt. and empty my pockets.

[sandlady]

That's what I thought--some will take you literally and see you standing there plumb naked. This whole "I hate flying" phenomena is based on exaggeration. Thanks for clarifying.

[Rushmore Rocks]

Thanks for that, I was beginning to wonder if my blonde hair, blue eyes, chubby body, and bifocals were causing the lack of strip searches. I keep hoping for one. Someday I may get lucky!!!

[sandlady]

Thanks for that, I was beginning to wonder if my blonde hair, blue eyes, chubby body, and bifocals were causing the lack of strip searches. I keep hoping for one. Someday I may get lucky!!!

Ha ha! You know that can be arranged.... ;^)

[Windcatcher]

Exactly. Under normal circumstances I *love* to fly. It's a real rush for me. But I won't be abused by some underpaid, stressed out, federal airport safety worker who happened to decide to take out his personal/racial/whatever frustrations out on me.

Screw 'em. I have a car and I live near Philly, which places me near lots of fun things to do.

[Rushmore Rocks]

Actually, I did get "patted down" down once in Belgrade. It must have been those pesky underwires in my bra that caused it. When my husband saw that familiar flush in my cheeks, he decided I was enjoying it a little too much.
Thus....no more underwire bras for me. LOL!!!

[Ditter]

I never enjoyed flying. I did it because you have to, if you want to go places & see things. I *really* hate it now & have only flown a few times since 9-11. Another thing that has happened is the crowding. I am a small person 5'3" & not obese. I fit in the space allotted. I am distressed that I will be seated next to large Marge. I have been seated next to the girl before & had her hanging over the armrest into my seat. That is misery for both of us. The airlines should be fined for the way they crowd people into their planes. Most of our trips are in our Tahoe now for these reasons.

[Windcatcher]

Lately I don't have much of a desire to travel. When I take vacation days I usually just use them to relax, which either means going to the gym or riding my bike. It's not a real "vacation", but I find it enjoyable. You'd be surprised how much fun a bike club membership can be...

By the way, this is me last weekend on the MS-150 City to Shore Bike Tour. Over 5,500 riders rode from Cherry Hill, NJ to Ocean City, NJ for Multiple Sclerosis, on a route that was 78.5 miles each way (we rode to Ocean City on Saturday and back on Sunday). This was my seventh year doing the ride, and it's a lot of fun.

http://www.dotphoto.com/GuestViewImage.asp?AID=1052468&IID=32276050

[TwilightXi]

One reason those ideas haven't taken hold in America is because there are 200 million firearms in private hands, along with billions of rounds of ammo.

You think someone who's intensely passionate about an idea is going to shut up because there are GUNS hanging around? Do you think a lunatic cares? Perhaps you should consider that there are more people shooting up family, friends, co-workers, etc., than shooting potential traitors to democracy. Why else would gun control be such an issue? You're sorely underestimating the power of the American system, its people, and the foundation of our country if you think that without guns, alternative propaganda is going to be spread and respected. If we need that threat to keep democracy intact, what does that say about us? If we succumb to anti-democratic ideas, what does that say about us? Our forefathers refused to do it, and in all cases, why should we ever?

So you do want to take away guns? As such, you are advocating overthrowing the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

::raises eyebrow:: You do a good job of rocketing over the edge, there. I respect the Constitution, in all of its flexible, ever-changing aspects.

[Mulder]

Perhaps you should consider that there are more people shooting up family, friends, co-workers, etc., than shooting potential traitors to democracy.

What's your point? That the American people are collectively guilty because of the individual actions of a few lunatics, and should therefore be disarmed?

Why else would gun control be such an issue?

Because the politicians want to control people. It's not about making America safer, it's about enslaving this country.

If we need that threat to keep democracy intact, what does that say about us?

The Founding Fathers like Madison, Jefferson, etc.... were very clear that yes, indeed, guns will protect our Liberty should other avenues fail.

If we succumb to anti-democratic ideas, what does that say about us?

Just because something is "democratic" means nothing to me. If 51% of the people "democratically" decide that I need to wear a yellow star and go off to the work camp, I'm going to take some very "anti-democratic" action.

Our forefathers refused to do it, and in all cases, why should we ever?

Quite the contrary, the warned against the dangers of democracy. That's why they set up a Constituitonal Republic instead. They also made it very clear that they wanted the American people to be armed to the teeth.

I respect the Constitution, in all of its flexible, ever-changing aspects.

The US Constitution is not "flexible". There is a very clear process that is laid out for changing it. To circumvent that process (Constitutional amendment) is sedition and treason, as far as I'm concerned.

[abbi_normal_2]

"Would you rather everyone walk around with a loaded .32 on their hip?"

You know that granny with the bun and a couple grandkids you saw in the grocery yesterday? - coulda been me and my .38 and here you are, still safe and sound :)