Aviation Has Changed For You -- You Told Us How

This weekend, ANN asked you to tell us how 9/11 changed aviation for you. Based on the tremendous response, there is no question that you all approach and think about flying differently since 9/11 -- some more so than others.

The comments ranged from those that felt not much impact at all, to those who felt such profound sorrow and indignity it still affects their views 5 years later.

From a personal perspective, we were grateful to find that we aren't the only ones still haunted by the stunning events of that fall morning.

Many of you seemed to find catharsis as you shared your stories of that fateful day:

[I] find that flying is somehow less magical.  It's hard to put the thoughts and emotions of that morning away fully, and it seems like the bloody terrorists have succeeded in convincing some factions in government that taking away some very American freedoms is a reasonable response.

I still keep up with aviation (almost fanatically, as is the way of most pilot/aviators I know) and look forward to the day when life's responsibilities relax enough to allow me to get back in the air.  The nagging question I'm left with, however, is whether it truly is only those responsibilities that are actually driving me to spend my spare time (and money) at sea rather than in the air.

This might sound odd, but thanks for letting me put this into words.  I've thought about it for some time, but never fully articulated it.  I'm not sure I like the sound of the story, but it is mine.

Matthew F. McManus
Cambridge, MA

 

I remember no planes in the sky for three days following the attacks. I also remember not being concerned so much about the closed airspace as being bewildered and numbed by the images on the television. Were more strikes coming? Who was responsible? How will this change our lives?

John M. Merryman
Portsmouth, NH

 

Many of you talked about how 9/11 affected you as regards commercial travel. I don't think any of us thought commercial aviation would be unchanged, but I doubt we considered the full effects. We are saddened at the loss of the simple things that used to make commercial flight so enjoyable; family and friends can no longer greet arriving loved ones at the gate as they get off the plane.

ANN has covered most of the big events as they've occurred over the past five years, but perhaps it would be instructive to recap: some 155,000 airline jobs lost, a reduction of around 800 jets from airline fleets and six bankruptcies. According to TheStreet.com, the Majors have eliminated nearly $16 billion in annual operating expenses -- mostly labor costs -- between 2001 and 2005. Changes indeed…

Some of you work in the airline industry:

Since I travel 50-60%, it has been misery atop more misery.  At first, the planes were empty-and let me tell you that flying to Europe on an almost empty plane gives one very mixed feelings.  While it is nice to stretch out across the whole middle section of a B747, it's extremely depressing when my success depends upon the success of the airlines.  By the time everyone started flying again, it was too late.  I was on my third job in as many years, the airlines were broke, the pilots and flight attendants had given concession upon concession, and we were all bitter, financially-strapped, and completely stressed out.

Rhonda Wainwright
Orange County, CA

 

I watch people even closer than I used to and for different reasons. I used to "people watch" for fun, but now I watch for suspicious behavior from the time I get to the airport until the time I leave. Until recently, I used to play "Find the Air Marshall" while traveling [for fun]. [Now] if I do think I've nailed one, I relax more on my flight. I feel like I'm "on duty" on every flight because of my experience and knowledge. It's not as much fun for me to fly as it used to be.

Gregg Bender
no city given

 

And some of you use commercial carriers frequently:

My last trip was coming out of LA on the day they had the Pakistani's arrested in London. LAX was a horror show. [Neither] the TSA [nor the airlines told] anyone what was happening. We spent more than 5 hours standing [in 95 degree heat] while the TSA cheerily came by and took all our water.
 
Gregory N. Roberts
Bedford, NH

 

A few responders were especially derisive of airport security measures:

After the mistreatment of heroic Governor Joe Foss, I wrote to the TSA and suggested that a terrorist might implant a device in a woman's breast or body cavity.  I thought surely they would begin overzealously groping all women passengers (for our protection, of course).  Women would have enough sense to boycott commercial flight, and the government would have to concede that it cannot protect us from this kind of threat.  But no, women willingly tolerate such abuse even now, because they are misled into thinking it is for their protection.

Bruce Liddel
no city given

 

The only true benefit to safety has been the installation of bars and restraints on cockpit doors - the rest of [the] charade with security at airports makes little difference. I guess the airport security angers me more than other aspects because I believe it is frivolous and an over-reaction. Remember, every 9/11 terrorist legally entered those aircraft and they took them with boxcutters. Today, the government has allowed scissors and short knives back in cabins, so what has changed?
 
Patric Barry
no city given

 

What about general aviation? We all know of the businesses that have been affected negatively. Flight schools and FBOs in the DC area still suffer under the veil of a permanent "Temporary" Flight Restriction.

And yet, a number of general aviation businesses are flourishing. Cirrus Aircraft is experiencing tremendous growth. They are selling aircraft almost as fast as they can make them. Columbia aircraft is enjoying similar success. The experimental aircraft market has never been hotter, and sport planes are just beginning to show their potential.

Could it be that some people would rather brave piloting their own aircraft than face the idea of flying on a commercial jet?

Since that nightmare, my brain has become a no-fly zone.  My heart is in it, I really want to buy that airline ticket...then just about the time I'm ready to venture forth, another terror threat beats me to the gate.  I have flown during the past 5 years...but only in 60-year-old warbirds with Yankee Air Museum.  I know the mechanics, I know the pilots, I know the passengers and they know me, our carry-on luggage is never considered dangerous, and we only take our shoes off when we want to, usually after a long day at an airshow.

Mary Ann Bittner
Belleville, MI

 

I am a retired USAF command pilot and veteran flyer. I own and fly an experimental kit built Amphibian. I don't fly on commercial airlines unless in a box in the cargo compartment.

Frank Gracy
Leesburg, FL

 

I flew as a pilot for a major carrier for 30 years, but I just don't trust the security people to be able to stop a terrorist.  I either fly my own airplane or drive where I want to go.

Anonymous

 

Since 9/11 I've earned my Private license -- one of the first plastic ones. I look for every excuse to rent a Cessna from my FBO instead of using an airline.

Anonymous

 

Many of you expressed deep sadness or anger with our Government's response:

I realize now that I am not the only pilot who feels that yes, in many ways, the terrorists have won.  Their objective is to destroy our freedoms, whether it be the freedoms that we have shed blood for over the past 230+ years, or the simple freedom to pull off the road next to an airport and watch a busy traffic pattern without being interrogated for it.

Andre Forrest
no city given

 

Because of the oppressive security measures put in place by the government, I have gone from a 100,000-mile-per-year frequent flyer to a non-flyer. I will not fly again until my civil liberties are restored and I can travel without identifying myself to the government. I am not afraid of terrorists. I am afraid of my government.

Robert F. Dorr
Oakton, VA

 

I can't imagine what it will be like later down the road for the kids who can't go to the airport and watch airplanes ascend from the ground.  It brings a tear to my heart to think that one day you won't be able to "hang out" at an airport like I do every weekend here in Oklahoma.  Aviation is full of the kindest people you will ever meet on the planet.  To think that those kind people will be inaccessible someday is a hard thought.

Tyler Chapman
no city given

 

There were a number of responders who have curtailed their flying because they fear what might happen should they stray off course:

I believe that 9/11 changed the perception of the public about flying.  Now airplanes and pilots are looked at with fear by uninformed people (most of them).  Before 9/11 if you circled an event to look at it, no one really noticed.  Now they call the police.  Pilots and [flying in general] are now looked at as a criminal activity.

P. Bayard duPont
Menominee, MI

 

We have our own mini-ADIZ here in the Tampa Bay area.  It's the MacDill AFB (MCF) Class D, closed to all GA operations.  It too has been in effect since 9/11.  While violations don't get a USAF fighter, Tampa Approach or MacDill tower will "tag" you as an airspace violator.

Jack W. Tunstill
Albert Whitted Airport (SPG), FL

 

The aftermath of 9-11 has meant that every time I go up I now have to worry about the possibility of being terrorized by an F-16 because I stupidly wandered into an imaginary circle on a sectional chart. The world has changed forever and I doubt we will ever get the bureaucrats out of the we-must-do-something-even-if-it-is-wrong mode.

Rich Dugger
La Porte, IN

 

I live about forty miles south of the Wash/Balt ADIZ. I used to rent aircraft at Manassas but no longer.  I used to get radio work done there also but no longer.  It's not worth the risk of going through some FAA action against me because of a controller's mistake. Clearances get lost, VFR traffic gets diverted... why bother if you don't have to?

Irv Jones
no city given

 

Weather is one thing.  I can see the weather.  Seeing a presidential motorcade somewhere along some vague and imprecise campaign trail from a distance in excess of the required 30 miles is quite another.  To decide to take flight now requires that you quite literally trust the briefer with your life.

Bruce Liddel
no city given

As bad as all this sounds -- and most remarkable to us -- many of you feel little to no stress, anger or fear in spite of all that's happened. Everyone acknowledges the tragedy, its just that some of you have found ways to deal with the situation and your personal feelings in ways that leave your love of flying intact.

This gives us a great deal of hope for the future!

The resurgence of general aviation aircraft manufacturing in our country -- no matter the motives from which it results -- is a good thing. Many low-cost air carriers continue to provide excellent travel service, some are even flourishing. Several of the major airlines that entered bankruptcy are on the brink of emerging, leaner and better able to serve their customers.

And what is probably, in our opinion, the most important development for individual aviation enthusiasts -- the emergence of the sport plane/sport pilot market. The number of new, affordable and downright capable aircraft available is truly astonishing. It's a wide-open market for intrepid entrepreneurs.

Perhaps John Merryman of Portsmouth, NH says it best:

The horrible events of 9/11 injured this country but did not kill it. Like the human body itself, our system is robust and has a remarkable facility to heal itself. Remember the stock market opening within a week? Flying resumed in three days? The massive effort to clean up Ground Zero and return that area to business? We must remember all of the victims, [their loved ones] and those who were there and can never forget what they experienced. And then, move forward to some unknown point in the future when we can look back on another challenge met.

Thanks John, for your wisdom and hope.