How dangerous is travel going to be if the U.S. goes to war?
 

My wife and I have a vacation to Switzerland and Italy planned for late April.<BR><BR>I've never travelled as a civilian during war, so forgive my ignorance...<BR><BR>If we (the U.S.) go to war with Iraq, will the airlines &quot;cut down&quot; on flights?<BR><BR>Should this Iraq conflict affect my plans in any way?<BR><BR>Any travel precautions?<BR><BR>

Hi<BR> It is unlikely that the war in Iraq will affect your plans for late April.

&lt;&lt;How dangerous is travel going to be if the U.S. goes to war?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>4.7<BR><BR>&lt;&lt;If we (the U.S.) go to war with Iraq, will the airlines &quot;cut down&quot; on flights?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>One or two.<BR><BR>&lt;&lt;Should this Iraq conflict affect my plans in any way?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>No, Switzerland is a neutral country.<BR><BR>&lt;&lt;Any travel precautions?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Cancel the mail.<BR>

There was an article addressing this in the Travel section of the Washington Post yesterday. If you're interested you can probably get it online at www.washingtonpost.com.

Vita, thanks! I just looked over the Post site, lots of good information there!<BR>I wish I could travel without luggage, that would make things sooo much more simple.

<BR>Here are your bigger concerns:<BR>April 18 - 21 (GoodFriday thru Ostermontag) everything is CLOSED<BR>May 1 - May Day Holiday. Everything CLOSED. There may be demonstrations.<BR><BR>Plan your activities and menu accordingly.

Queenie, you are spot on!

I just post a ? regarding trip to switzerland inthe end of april but named it badly. You were talking about everything closed on April 18-21 those are the dates included in our trip. we arriving in geneva on april 12 would like travel by train but having trouble to plan this trip for us and our 12 y old son. we are leaving on april 22 from geneva as well. What could we do and were better to end up during holiday time? we just want to give opportunity to ski for one or 2 days for our son the rest would be just sightseeing. Any thoughts? Thank you

Was in Florence last year on May 1.<BR>This is a national holiday for most of Europe and a political one(lots of leftists). Plus a real pain as all big cities and museums, etc. have very long lines and demonstrations. THIS WAS LAST YEAR. This year, I'd lay low, see the outskirts and cool it, watch the riots on CNN.<BR>

There are no demonstrators on the mountains in Switzerland, but quite a lot of tourists, taking a couple of days off.

I think most Americans are going to cancel their travel plans. Instead, they are going to sit on the sofa, with popcorn and Budweiser, and watch the war on T.V. I am sure the Neilsen Rating will go through the roof. Better than the SuperBowl. I wonder who is going to sponsor the US war? Mobile? Exxon? Texaco?

ThinGorgeous - You do have quite a sense of humor.

There is no additional danger in Switzerland if there is a war in Iraq.<BR><BR>Switzerland is not thought to be prone to terrorist attacks, though it can happen. For example, Vienna was not thought to be dangerous but Arab terrorists started firing machine guns into the crowd at the airport in 1985.<BR><BR>The risk of terrorist attacks have not changed since 2001. There was a risk then as there is now. If Americans want greater safety, they should move out of the country. Be afraid to go to Switzerland is almost irrational. I'll admit that there is some risk in flying so it's not completely irrational.

ThinGorjus, I think you are wrong. March Madness begins on Thursday. Many americans will be glued to their TVs watching that instead. Sorry to disappoint, but sponsor I think is Cingular.