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January 1, 2010
The Cost of High Anxiety About Flying
By LIESL SCHILLINGER

Everyone knows that flying in a plane is potentially dangerous — just as everyone knows that climbing Mount Everest is dangerous. What goes up must come down; and if you put yourself at a great height, you put yourself at risk of falling, though the odds of perishing in a plane crash are one in ten million, whereas for every ten Everest climbers who reach the peak, one dies … a far less comfortable margin.
One reason that airports have bars, and that flight attendants ply passengers with beer, wine and cocktails, is that flight industry higher-ups are well aware that a drink or two can calm the nerves of timorous fliers, and that indeed most of their customers fear air travel to some degree. If you doubt the truth of this, take a look at your seatmates the next time a plane you’re on hits an air pocket and drops before righting itself. You’ll see your fellow passengers (some of them, anyhow) praying — hoping divine intervention will keep the magical container aloft. Regina Spektor wove this thought into her album, “Far” last June, in the song “Laughing With,” which goes, “No one laughs at God when their airplane starts to uncontrollably shake.” It’s the 21st century, but that doesn’t keep flying from remaining, on one level, an act of faith.
Nearly all of the millions of flights that take off and land each year proceed safely, without incident. Any number of accidents can (but rarely do) put a flight in jeopardy: from engine failure, to the sudden apparition of a flock of geese, to electrical storms, to ice, to air pockets. But in the last decade, beginning with the 9/11 attacks, the greatest assault on faith in air travel has come not from accidents but from intentional acts of sabotage by a handful of homicidal malefactors. Statistically, their criminal actions barely register. But the ripple effect of public panic at the notion that any passenger on any plane could be a human time bomb has rattled the airline industry and compromised the freedom of travel that the world’s citizens previously enjoyed.
We understand other countries and other peoples best by seeing them; to see them, we must travel; to travel, in any concision of time, we must fly. Last week, one man with a grievance and exploding underpants boarded a plane for Detroit. This week, the nation’s attention and travel plans in the new year are held captive, as the battered American airline industry reels — this after a few months in which airline stocks had finally climbed out of a deep hole, anticipating the possibility of increased air travel in 2010.
The risk of a terrorist disruption of a flight is infinitesimal, but public perception of that risk can be outsize and emotional … understandably so. Terrorists, like bogeymen, are frightening even when they don’t exist; and when they do appear in broad daylight, citizens who learn that the government failed to shield them from menace feel vulnerable and outraged.
In the wake of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s attempted sabotage, government and air travel officials are scrambling to reassure the citizenry — investigating information-sharing deficits, suggesting rapid deployment of full-body magnetic resonance scans (a controversial and expensive measure) and adding blankets and bathroom visits to the perks that air travelers may no longer expect in the age of high anxiety.
And yet, from the point of view of the individual traveler, a risk-free flight has never existed; nor has a risk-free car trip; nor a risk-free ocean liner voyage; nor a risk-free bike ride. To be alive is to face risks.
When I was a child in Indiana, about to head to France to live with a French family for a month — my first foreign trip — something happened that nearly kept that journey from taking place. On May 25, 1979, a few weeks before my plane was to leave Chicago for Paris, a DC-10 took off from O’Hare, then crashed and exploded, killing all 271 people on board and 2 more on the ground.
I didn’t know this at the time, but my grandmother was horrified that my parents went ahead with my trip after the accident. She told them they were sending a little girl to her death (I was just out of elementary school); and though my mother wept with guilt in secret, she protected me from their discord, determined that I have the experience I’d anticipated for two years, a reward for assiduous language study. That summer abroad was the single most formative experience of my young life. I can’t count the number of foreign and domestic flights I made in the ensuing two decades. Including, in 1995, a KLM flight from Africa to America via Amsterdam — Mr. Abdulmutallab’s itinerary, more or less.
Since 9/11/2001, or since 12/22/2001 (when Richard Reid attempted to blow up a Boeing 767 between Paris and Miami by detonating his sneakers), how many grandmothers, how many parents, how many people of whatever age, sex, or familial connection, have avoided air travel out of fear, or cautioned their friends and relatives against it? The risks of air travel continue to be minuscule, even during the War on Terror era, while the advantages of exploring other countries remain precious and inarguable.
Still, a fortress mentality settles in each time a new instance of attempted airborne thuggery hits the airwaves. In the wake of alarming headlines, an obstacle course of cumbersome but laudable security precautions unrolls at airports, leading many of the earth’s seven-billion-odd inhabitants to resolve to remain earthbound as much as possible. One goal of terrorists is to make ordinary people afraid to leave their homes and interact with the wider world. Attacks on individual courage may leave no scars, but that does not mean they do no damage.
In this last decade, nobody can tally the number of flights not taken, adventures not dared, countries not visited, because of the public’s anxieties about air travel. In 2005, rebelling against my own fears of traveling to sections of the globe that had come to seem perilous, I booked a flight to Syria and Lebanon to visit journalist friends who were living there. Days before my flight left Kennedy Airport, Syria revealed it had halted military and intelligence cooperation with the United States. My adrenalin racing, I packed, in anticipation mingled with dread. In the waiting room at the plane’s gate, as I sat amid women in hijab and children with stuffed animals and pink backpacks, I took half an Ambien to dim my worries. My companion, meanwhile, was watching “24” on a laptop; and as Kiefer Sutherland blew away one Arab “bad guy” after another, a family moved a few seats away from us, because we were so scary.
I’m grateful that I overcame my cowardice and traveled to Damascus — the most fascinating, culturally diverse city I’ve ever visited — and to Baalbek, in Lebanon, which Alexander the Great called Heliopolis and which is now home to the ruins of great temples the Romans erected beginning in the first century B.C.
Baalbek, also a stronghold for Hezbollah, is admittedly not the most welcoming destination. All the same, how can such a monument go unseen? It’s hard to assess the cost of the sacrifices an uneasy populace makes to the great idol Safety — sacrifices that have no sure reward.
Steps are already being taken to shore up air security in the aftermath of last week’s breach. But when will the skies again be truly friendly? When will Americans again be free to be curious, flight-miles-earning world citizens? Maybe we already are — as long as we’re willing to get to the airport a few hours early to run the ever-lengthening security gauntlet. In 2010, potential dangers will attach to every flight, just as they did 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago and before. Does that mean everyone should just stay put? For more than three years, the Department of Homeland Security has ranked the threat risk of domestic and international flights at “Code Orange”— high. But staying in your own house still puts you at “Code Yellow” — elevated risk.
How, then, to proceed? Perhaps there’s only ever been one trick to keeping one’s cool in challenging circumstances, the same one the British adventurer T. E. Lawrence offers for dealing with pain in David Lean’s film “Lawrence of Arabia,” set a century ago, in another war. The trick, he says, “is not minding.”

Carolyn Fletcher’s honeymoon started heading south the moment she and her husband landed in Cancun. No one was there to pick up the newlyweds.
It took an hour for her to convince a van service to deliver them to their hotel. But when they checked into their four-star resort in Akumal, they discovered it was a “a two-star, at best,” she remembers.
“The grounds were unkempt and there was trash everywhere,” she said. “Our room smelled of mildew. I sat down on the bed to cry, only to find the sheets and mattress wet from the moisture and mildew. There was mold growing on the curtains, the walls and the furniture.”
Why am I telling you about Fletcher’s post-nuptial nightmare? Because she booked it online.
Some vacations should never be booked through anyone but a travel agent, and a honeymoon is arguably one of them. But there are others, too, as travelers like Fletcher are discovering.
It’s little consolation to Fletcher and her husband. “While most people will remember their honeymoon with happy memories, ours are filled with disparagement, frustration and regret,” she adds.
In trying to figure out when you shouldn’t book online, I thought I’d ask someone who works for an online travel agency. I put the question to Ginny Mahl, Travelocity’s vice president of sales and customer service. “There is still a place for traditional travel agents, particularly those that have carved out a niche, like adventure travel,” she said. “Depending upon the traveler and their needs, a face-to-face meeting with such a consultant could be wise.”
So when should you not book on the Internet? Here are seven kinds of trips.
1. Cruising
Travel agents remain your best bet for a floating vacation. Why? Two main reasons: First, cruise lines give travel agencies access to special deals that you probably won’t find anywhere else. And second, because a cruise can get complicated. There are airline tickets that have to be bought, hotel rooms to be booked, shore excursions and lots of options on the ship. “Often, cruise agents will book group space on popular sailings, which often entitle them to offer their clients bonus items — onboard money to spend, champagne toasts, discounted deposits and more,” says cruise expert Carmen Shirkey. “Plus, because they’ve booked space on the best cruises, other sites may tell you that there’s no availability, when a cruise agent can get you onboard, no problem.”
2. Traveling around the world
An around-the-the-world itinerary is usually far more complex than a straight-up roundtrip airline ticket. Never mind the hotel arrangements and activities you’ll want to plan. Travel agents are best suited to these kinds of vacations. Blogger and frequent traveler Steven Frischling has taken several around-the-world trips for business. “Last year, in a 3 1/2- day span, I photographed jobs in Philadelphia, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Incheon — departing from and returning to Providence,” he says. “There was no online booking engine that would allow this itinerary.”
3. When you don’t have the time
If you work with a travel agent who knows your preferences, you might consider outsourcing the research for your next vacation. “If you’re a busy professional with no interest in doing the research and would rather be dreaming about sipping a Caipirinha on Copacabana beach than doing all the legwork to get there, why not work with an agent?” says Patricia Pinkney, who works for an artisan jewelry retailer. “In this case, they save time rather than money, but ultimately that may be more valuable to them.”
4. If you’re uncomfortable with the Inter-Web
Karina Goldrajch, the co-founder of GenMobi Technologies, a security company, says people should stay away from booking online if they’ve never done it before, and particularly if their next trip is a special event, like an anniversary or honeymoon (see Fletcher’s story for more on that). But even if you’ve booked on the Web before, you should think twice before doing it again. “If you think that the Web site looks fishy, or something looks too good, it probably is,” she says.
5. Traveling internationally
A weekend in London is one thing. However, if you’re headed off to a country whose name you can’t pronounce, you probably need to stay off the computer — at least when you book. Find a travel professional that specializes in the place you’re going. Tonya Fitzpatrick, who hosts a travel radio show, learned that when she tried to help a family member and her companion after they booked a trip to Costa Rica online. “An international trip is a different animal,” she said. “At the end of the day they incurred more expenses because they booked online.”
6. Doing something exotic
This is for the trips that aren’t for everyone, such as sailing up the coast of British Columbia and Alaska, as the people who book Maureen Gordon’s Maple Leaf Adventures packages do. (Imagine climbing over the rail of a schooner into a zodiac to go bear-watching.) “When we speak to someone on the phone, we can make sure a trip is right for them,” she says. “And when you’re sharing 92-feet in the wilderness with eight others, plus guides, you want to know everyone around you is happy.”
7. Special events
A honeymoon, anniversary or class reunion falls into this category. But mostly, a honeymoon. “Engaged couples have enough to worry about,” said John Peters, the president of Tripology, a New York referral service for travel agents. “A honeymoon is a time where you need to be looked after, not when you should be worrying about yet another item on a to-do list that’s much too long to begin with.” An agent can make sure your vacation is as close to perfect as it can be, from start to finish. A travel professional can also make sure you’ve booked the right vacation.
Wondering if you should consult with a travel agent before your next vacation? There are some who think it’s always a good idea to phone a travel pro first. Sheryl Kayne, author of the book “Volunteer Vacations Across America,” said you should “never book online” before checking first with an agent — and that’s especially true of anyone considering a volunteer vacation, which, like a cruise, can get more complex than other trips. “You also don’t want to book a trip before knowing all of the requirements and conditions of the trip.”

Buying Power of the U.S. Dollar Has Increased in 2009. The buying power of the Dollar against local currencies is on the rise once again. In 2009 the Dollar’s buying power has risen 10% from 2008 in Italy, the #1 foreign destination for American travelers. In Australia it’s 15%, and in the United Kingdom it’s a shocking 20%. For example, a sixteen day, custom trip to Australia (including airfare) is now under $1,500.

Good Deals Are Easier to Find. Hotels, resorts, and cruise ships are feeling the recession, and lowering rates as well as including more upgrades and perks to lure price conscious travelers. Now is the best time to travel and take advantage of these once in a lifetime deals. Resorts and cruise ships are including airfare, on board credits, and room upgrades in their already lowered prices. Even more discounts can be found for last minute travelers as cruise lines scramble to fill their end of year itineraries. Travel agents can help you find the best deals, as they know which resorts and cruise lines are offering the best promotions.

Help Stimulate the World Economy. Travel accounts for one of the three largest global industries and employs over 220 million people worldwide. When we visit foreign countries we are not only contributing to the local economy, but the world economy as well. Helping out local economies is especially important in developing countries where tourism might be the only profitable industry. As the world economy rises we will in turn feel the benefits at home in the U.S., where tourism accounts for 15% of our GDP.

The “Obama Effect.” Americans are taking advantage of the goodwill and positive American image generated by President Obama. By traveling we become unofficial ambassadors, representing the U.S., and can continue to spread a positive image of America across the world. International travel can also help promote understanding among nations.

I would caution anyone not able to walk 100 steps to and from their cabins (I had 170 steps) to choose another venue to explore the Osa. They are best known for their ‘green sustainable’ environment. They recycle almost everything and even feed their pigs leftover foods to increase the production of manure which in turn provides for methane gas used for cooking. We learned a lot about recycling and sustainable environments. Even the local school we visited (which the lodge helped build for the community), practices recycling to some degree. I will be sending school supplies to their school.

We ended with a few days at Paradisus Playa Conchal on the north west coast of the country. We had Royal service at the property which allowed us to be completely pampered on the beach. Kayaking, biking and golf filled our days. Spa services and various gourmet restaurants added to the complete pampering experience of this resort.

An easy destination to fly to with unique cultural and environmental experiences for every age group.
Nancy Yale, Cruise Resort & World Travel 203 254-3339 www.bookavacation.com

Here I am, last morning in Iceland. I am writing this partly for your enjoyment, but mostly for me to remember this trip and what I have learned. I was reminded of the the importance of travel - how enriching travel and new experiences truly are; opening one up to a wealth of new experience and culture. As I recount the past week, I have met more new people that I have a chance of staying in touch with than I have in the past 6 months in New York City.

I have very much enjoyed traveling around this starkly beautiful and odd landscape. Volcanic fields, flat mountains, bubbling hot springs, enormous melting glaciers, black sand and rock beaches with seabirds and horses, and even a 6 month old whale carcass.

Icelanders are a very intriguing breed. They are cutting edge, trendy, and funky, while reserved, traditional, and quaint. They are shy until you break the shell, after which you might hear their family history going back to the Viking Sagas. They are also proud of their small nation, their history, their culture and their landscape. They keep close to one another, yet they are interested in meeting new people from all over the world.

The past few days we have been in a remote hut in the wilderness in the middle of winter. We stayed next to a volcano, cooked our own fresh lamb dinner, and sat in the amazing hot spring enjoying the brisk air, northern lights, and recounting the trip and other great experiences with our “silent assassin” guide Anton. This was after a day touring the south coast, where all of the farms maintain the exact same names and locations they did the time of the Vikings.

Last night was again in Reykjavik. Met up with a couple guys from the first night… talked about life, enjoyed some laughs, had some beers, talked to some ladies, and then went at 3:30 am to take pictures on a frozen lake in the moonlight just outside of the city. After this trip I feel alive, energized, and feel that I have taken a step back - out of the world of routines and cubicles, and into a parallel world of bliss and rejuvenation. You only live once, so make sure you are really doing everything you want to. You never know when a terrorist attack, financial crisis, or giant meteor will send the world back to the stone age.
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