September 11th Report

How 9/11 Effected Air Travel 

A Report by: Amanda Spaeth, Erika Lipford, and Sarah Pattisall
   
    September 11, 2001, not just a date in our past but a date in history, a date that would forever live in infamy. The events of this particular day effected mankind forever. Smoke and ashes fell to the ground of New York City along with masses of bodies, dead. Monstrous amounts of tears shed from families, lovers, friends, and even enemies. Not only did this effect humanity, but it influenced the economy, air travel, security measures, and even racial disputes. What we never knew is that other people, just like you and me, were capable of this sort of destruction and hatred. The U.S. had just about lost the once exceptional pride in the strength and safety they were so well-known for.

     The attacks on the buildings had an immediate impression on traveling through air. More travelers from across seas began to use other methods of transportation to certain destinations, instead of flying to the US. The US had a significant drop in visitors from across seas, and there was a global minor recession due to the drop in demand for airline travel. A negative impact on the US was the lack of luster that traveling to the US and its image (the country’s) was tarnished.

     Though the whole country suffered in a great loss of tourists, Hawaii was hit the hardest with the drop in tourism since the US had been attacked. The economy before 9/11 had not been a significant worry before the towers fell, and then with the fall in tourism and airline demand, the economy dropped drastically, causing a minor recession that was spread through the entire planet. The trepidation of flying shook through the world, and with it the economy crumbled. As said by John Ashcroft, “This intelligence-gathering initiative only serves to underscore the obvious: September 11 changed us and changed the way we do our jobs.” Even though 9/11 was over nine years ago, we are still feeling the aftershock of the loss today.

     During the madness and confusion on 9/11, our country’s leaders had to protect the American people by cancelling all flights from coast to coast to prevent further damage. In order to assure people they were safe during air travel, many new strict policies were implemented in the airport security. Many changes like carrying visas, checking carry-on items, and using metal detectors to detect bombs were put into action to keep travelers safe. The government took more steps in improving airport security by having people go through stations in order to inspect their belongings and the travelers. The technology now used at airports is more advanced than before the 9/11 attacks, so it takes longer to get past security and then walk to the flight gate. Right after the 9/11 bombing, many people who looked Middle Eastern were stereotyped and were questioned at the airport. Not many security guards question travelers now, but it proves how cautions our country was about letting outsiders in.

     After the 9/11 attack, many people decided to use different sources of transportation other than air travel. The prices of airline tickets went up and many travelers were disgruntled about how much it was to fly. It has been reported that during August 2008 to July 2009, many adults and families flew on airlines for vacations. That’s 42 percent more people than citizens who travel for business. Many people were afraid of flying after the Twin Towers fell. In 2001, roughly 3.75 million people entered the United States. It has taken years to reach almost 7 million people entering the U.S. every year. The United States airlines want to ensure safety to traveling passengers so airport security has impacted how people travel. Flight passengers now arrive earlier to have their baggage checked before they board the plane. Tighter airport security has protected people from future disasters, like shoe bombs, but has been an obstacle for people to pass security to get to the airline gates. In order to keep our country’s citizen’s safe; we must take precautions to prevent further attacks on the United States.

     September 11, 2001 not only left the U.S. suffering a tragic loss but left half the world with economic changes. Aside from the emotional response there was a clear response in airline procedures. As showed earlier, there was a loss in airline travelers. People are now questioned more thoroughly because of their race when traveling, could this be considered discrimination or just further measures to ensure safety? Could the outcome of 9/11 possibly leave us with a better airline system then before? After all, the security in airports is so much tighter now and has been able to prevent more bombings and attacks on the U.S. No matter how much we wish we can’t go back in time and prevent 9/11. What we can do is prevent events such as terrorist attacks and bombings from happening. "We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail" -George W. Bush.

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