Safe to Travel?
Dec 1st, 2015, 06:58 PM
#1
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Safe to Travel?
Concerned about an upcoming trip late Jan. - early Feb. Land in Brussels and train travel to Amsterdam, Hamburg, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Munich and Zurich. Am I being overly concerned, or should I feel safe due to the extra security? Thank you.
Dec 1st, 2015, 08:14 PM
#2
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Nobody can answer.
I travel extensively, took about 10+ trains last 2 weeks, taking Thalys to Paris from Bxl in 1 hour, living in Bxl, working in Paris.
So for me, as for some millions of people, I've got no real choice. You have. If you feel concerned, you don't need to travel in fear.
I travel extensively, took about 10+ trains last 2 weeks, taking Thalys to Paris from Bxl in 1 hour, living in Bxl, working in Paris.
So for me, as for some millions of people, I've got no real choice. You have. If you feel concerned, you don't need to travel in fear.
Dec 1st, 2015, 11:08 PM
#3
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We have the choice to travel or not. US citizens, currently on a 3-week trip to Switzerland and Germany. We were on the Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris a couple of days before the terrorist incident. If we stop traveling "they" win.
Only you can decide if you will or will not travel abroad. Me? I most definitely WILL.
Only you can decide if you will or will not travel abroad. Me? I most definitely WILL.
Dec 1st, 2015, 11:17 PM
#4
It really depends on which country you are coming from and the length of road you need to cross to the airport. Europe (and especially the countries you mention) are safer than most countries you are likely to live in.
What did Henry Ford say? If you say you cannot or you say you can, you are probably right.
What did Henry Ford say? If you say you cannot or you say you can, you are probably right.
Dec 1st, 2015, 11:22 PM
#5
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You should be concerned. On Saturday I flew from Calgary to Frankfurt and narrowly escaped with my life. Having looked death in the face and laughed, the next day I boarded a plane to Manchester which came apart in midair for some reason. I am now writing this from my watery grave in the English Channel.
So, I'd stay home.
So, I'd stay home.
Dec 1st, 2015, 11:46 PM
#6
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You are at greater risk of being hit by a bicycle or a tram than you are of being involved in a terrorist attack. There is always a chance of something horrible happening, even at home.
Only you know if your fears will mean you can't enjoy what will otherwise be a great and peaceful holiday.
Only you know if your fears will mean you can't enjoy what will otherwise be a great and peaceful holiday.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 01:21 AM
#9
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Whether or not you travel has nothing to do with whether terrorists "win" (win "what" exactly?)
No one knows how much the terrorist threat will increase between now and when you are traveling.
My personal opinion is that the "extra security" being deployed in Europe is subject to question.
Only you can decide what risks you are willing to take with your life and limb. I wouldn't let other people's opinions carry much weight, one way or the other.
No one knows how much the terrorist threat will increase between now and when you are traveling.
My personal opinion is that the "extra security" being deployed in Europe is subject to question.
Only you can decide what risks you are willing to take with your life and limb. I wouldn't let other people's opinions carry much weight, one way or the other.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 01:25 AM
#10
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Also, I would rank some places on your itinerary as a higher risk of being exposed to unsafe situations than others. You might want to read up on all your destinations and come to your own conclusions.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 01:33 AM
#12
We lived in DC in 2001. Our daughter was born shortly before the attacks, and several family members refused to fly out for her christening two months later. When we hired the best qualified nanny for her from those we interviewed, who happened to be Muslim, one family member disowned us. Their loss.
This fall I spent a week in NYC, arriving at JFK on 11 September. The travel date was not intentional; it was the best fit for family schedules.
Here in Austria I volunteer with the refugees. I was "unfriended" by a longtime FB friend who is convinced I will be assaulted and/or killed and could not understand my "irrationality" in wanting to "help the terrorists."
You can live in fear, or you can live. We're choosing to live.
This fall I spent a week in NYC, arriving at JFK on 11 September. The travel date was not intentional; it was the best fit for family schedules.
Here in Austria I volunteer with the refugees. I was "unfriended" by a longtime FB friend who is convinced I will be assaulted and/or killed and could not understand my "irrationality" in wanting to "help the terrorists."
You can live in fear, or you can live. We're choosing to live.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 05:33 AM
#15
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"Hamburg, Berlin,... Munich"
The chances of personal harm due to terrorism are clearly small, but it's hard to say how small. Paris is big. So are your destinations. France was targeted because of their intervention in the Middle East (so say ISIS.) Now Germany will be involving itself in the anti-ISIS effort with a deployment of 1200 soldiers, several military aircraft, naval support...
So if anything, I think the circumstances point to increased risks in larger German destinations in the months to come. Of course, it's impossible for me or any of the travel nuts on this board to assess the actual risks. If you are concerned at all, it's probably wise to keep an eye on the news, on government travel alerts to Germany, and on the statements and security moves made by German security authorities. (That said, French security authorities weren't much help.)
I don't like the notion of being pushed around by terrorists at all and would be inclined to go. On the other hand, if I were dying to visit the Middle East right now, I'd very likely let the terrorists keep me home. I schedule trips to the Tropics around hurricane season; likewise, it may make sense to consider both place and timing when it comes to Europe. Is it "terror season" in Europe now? Perhaps, with the recently foiled plot against the Pope, and with all the recent activities in Istanbul (including yesterday's metro blast,) Copenhagen, Paris, and Brussels.
The chances of personal harm due to terrorism are clearly small, but it's hard to say how small. Paris is big. So are your destinations. France was targeted because of their intervention in the Middle East (so say ISIS.) Now Germany will be involving itself in the anti-ISIS effort with a deployment of 1200 soldiers, several military aircraft, naval support...
So if anything, I think the circumstances point to increased risks in larger German destinations in the months to come. Of course, it's impossible for me or any of the travel nuts on this board to assess the actual risks. If you are concerned at all, it's probably wise to keep an eye on the news, on government travel alerts to Germany, and on the statements and security moves made by German security authorities. (That said, French security authorities weren't much help.)
I don't like the notion of being pushed around by terrorists at all and would be inclined to go. On the other hand, if I were dying to visit the Middle East right now, I'd very likely let the terrorists keep me home. I schedule trips to the Tropics around hurricane season; likewise, it may make sense to consider both place and timing when it comes to Europe. Is it "terror season" in Europe now? Perhaps, with the recently foiled plot against the Pope, and with all the recent activities in Istanbul (including yesterday's metro blast,) Copenhagen, Paris, and Brussels.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 09:01 AM
#16
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Well, after living through 9/11 I will not change my travel plans (I'm not going to any war zones) unless something very drastic happens. And I don't mean what happened in Paris, I mean something like an undeclared civil war.
I visited London several times in the years when there were a lot of IRA bombings (announcements in public places, including department stores, about abandoned packages or briefcases, super heavy security at the airports and a very strong police and at time military presence in the streets. Nothing happened to me then and I don't expect anything to happen to me now. And I had a wonderful time on those trips.
Is it possible something will happen? Of course. And it can happen anywhere. Look at all of the domestic terrorism in the US. If one lived in fear of that your kids couldn't go to school and you couldn't go to the mall or to the movies, or to work - or to any government building. You would spend your entire life in you own home.
You just have to decide how much risk you are comfortable with. No one else can tell you.
I visited London several times in the years when there were a lot of IRA bombings (announcements in public places, including department stores, about abandoned packages or briefcases, super heavy security at the airports and a very strong police and at time military presence in the streets. Nothing happened to me then and I don't expect anything to happen to me now. And I had a wonderful time on those trips.
Is it possible something will happen? Of course. And it can happen anywhere. Look at all of the domestic terrorism in the US. If one lived in fear of that your kids couldn't go to school and you couldn't go to the mall or to the movies, or to work - or to any government building. You would spend your entire life in you own home.
You just have to decide how much risk you are comfortable with. No one else can tell you.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 12:48 PM
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355th mass shooting in the US this year took place today according to the Washington post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...5th-this-year/
Nowhere is truly safe, you have to make a judgement call.
Nowhere is truly safe, you have to make a judgement call.
