Has 9/11, the declining dollar or something else curbed your desire to travel?
 

My wife and I have been travelers for many years. We've enjoyed most of europe and also parts of asia. However, we are finding ourselves reluctant to travel anymore. Perhaps it is the cost, but it just seems like the world is getting a lot less secure. Do others feel this way?

Assuming you are American, your country is probably one of the most dangerous places to be right now. So travel, enjoy life and feel safe in Asia, Europe, Africa or Australia.

Actually European, I'm Canadian. I go to the U.S. all the time and have always felt very safe. However, that could change if the foreign terrorists continue to make the U.S. a target.

I've flown to London twice since January and am going to Paris in August. There's a little apprehension that I didn't have pre-9/11 but I'm not going to let that stop me from living the life I want to live.

I was nervous the first time I flew after 9/11 but admit I've put it aside in my mind as a don't wish to forfeit the quality of my life - travel being a great passion, not to do so would be a huge personal loss to me.<BR><BR>Moreover, I find myself reading the newspaper more, reading books set in other countries, reading history books and generally more interested in the larger world and international politics, regretting I never visited the middle east (as this is the one place I won't go to right now). <BR><BR>I pretty much live my life by statistical probabilities and know full well my daily commute on Los Angeles freeways is alot more dangerous than flying!

I'm afraid to be in my own city right now. I live in Las Vegas and am afraid something will happen here. Strangely I feel more safe about going to my travel destinations.

Except for the middle east and certain areas of Africa and southeast asia, I think most of the world, including the U.S. is still pretty safe. My problem is financial. I guess I've been used to the airfare bargains, etc. I've been trying for a month to get a bargain fare to Italy in September, but can't find anything. If things stay this way, I doubt I'll be doing as much traveling as in the past. Perhaps it is time to see all those parts of the U.S. that I haven't seen.

Jack, I think the answer to your question is that you're getting old.<BR><BR>I actually feel safer traveling now, since there's so much focus on safety. Yes, I know there are lapses, but it's still better than it used to be.<BR><BR>BTW, Jack, it's not the world that has changed, it's that a terrorist attack happened to your next-door neighbor, not across the ocean, or half-way around the world. It's what everyone else in the world has been living with all along.<BR><BR>Anony-very curious. Why do you think something would happen in Las Vegas, of all places?

I flew on September 16th and had no real hesitation. I figure I'm going to go someday, as we all are and I refuse to change my life for anyone. (and not with the theory of 'if I don't go - the terrorists win') I don't want to be hurt, but if someone or something is going to take me out - so be it. <BR><BR>I have to agree about costs though. Sure, there are still bargains, but to plan ahead seems to be more expensive than it used to be.

Ann, you must not have been watching the news lately. There have been reports that terrorists may target Las Vegas over the Fourth of July. It's been all over the news. I personally think it's just another case of the terrorists messing with us because they know we're listening now, but you never know.

Nothing has curbed my *desire* to travel, to Europe anyway. <BR><BR>Not 9/11, and certainly not the declining dollar.<BR><BR>However, my personal "declining dollars" :) have put a large dent in my *ability* to travel.

My sentiments exactly, Capo!

We are unwilling to further contribute to an industry that used and continues to use a national tragedy as an excuse to bilk taxpayers out of billions. The airlines claim they are a "private industry" which answers only to market forces (no government interference) when they are flush, then call themselves "national transportation" and demand government bailouts when they're not. Now they want subsidized loans to boot, probably so the CEOs can drive the companies into the ground and walk away with millions in their pockets, all financed by the taxpayers. Hey, all the other corporations are doing it, why shouldn't the airlines get a piece of that action? <BR><BR>We drive for business and vacation now and we are exploring our own beautiful country for a change. The airlines can shove it.

I'm with Sue and Capo! The state of the stock market has me staying home awhile, but I will continue to dream.

Whether it is terrorism, the economy or airfare prices, it sure seems like a lot of people are staying closer to home this year. For whatever reason, I also find myself less interested in going anywhere this year.

The desire hasn't decreased at all. I was a little nervous traveling abroad in October of 2001, but that nervousness didn't last very long. I will admit that travel is not quite as carefree and fun in some ways as it used to be. As a photographer, transporting film has become more of a pain in the butt, my daughter can't come into the gate area to see me off or greet me when I return, and airports take longer. I used to love the whole process of traveling, but now I don't like the going part as much (just the planning and being there). I am nervous about putting my daughter on a plane, not so much because I feel something will happen but only that I think more about the possibility now.<BR><BR>I am sticking more to domestic spots right now for a variety of reasons, but none of them include terrorism. In fact, my next big trip is to New York City.

Thanks, Greta. No, I haven't been watching the news. Too busy watching the World Cup.<BR><BR>Sam, I also flew on 9/16, as I was supposed to fly out on 9/13 to Northern Ireland. Wasn't apprehensive at all. Really don't see why I would be. Since then, I've flown to Europe twice, and will go again in August.<BR><BR>I don't give any credence to the belief that if you don't travel, the terrorists have "won", but I also truly don't understand why people would be scared to fly. But, hey, freedom of choice is what makes America great, so if you don't want to fly, don't.

What Capo said!!!!<BR><BR>At this point I'm more afraid of the CEO's and CFO"s than a terrorist!<BR>

I agree with JOdy. I am more fearful of us losing confidence in the stock market and the whole economy going down the tubes.<BR>What's going on when a big Company like WorldCom can hide looses and overstate profits.<BR><BR>What kind of creative bookkeeping is this????

Me, too -- my declining numbers of dollars have dampened all travel plans. <BR><BR>I may not have anything in any of my 401K retirement funds if Arthur Andersen was the auditor for all those firms. Or even if not.