2008 Woodie Awards
Travel in The Time after 9/11
Angelina Martinez
David Quinley
Issue date: 12/10/01 Section: Op/Ed
- Page 1 of 1
The tragedy the United States faced just four short months ago is still affecting the economy in several ways. The industry that has been impinged on most obviously is the travel business. Flying was the most common form of travel and it is now suffering due to the previously inconceivable events that have transpired.
With the upcoming holidays, Americans will be traveling to be with relatives. This in and of itself is an American tradition; it is one of the few times a year that we can take time from our hectic lives to spend with loved ones.
Flying to a desired destination has long been the ideal method of traveling. It's quick, easy, and economical in comparison to other methods. Now, even with the possibility of planes not reaching their destination in mind, flying remains one of the most effective modes of transportation. This year however, many Americans are seeking alternative modes of transportation.
Airlines are reportedly down 15% from this time last year, while companies providing alternate means of transportation, such as Greyhound and Amtrak, are up as much as 20% from last year. Local travel agencies are suffering great losses due to a seemingly national hesitation to fly this year. Camille Miller with Travel quest LTD in San Rafael says, "Business has been cut by 75% this year."
Yet she remains optimistic for her company despite this setback. Travel quest has been in business in San Rafael since 1981, and according to Miller, "is not going anywhere."
"Families are still traveling together," says Miller, "It's the individuals who travel to be with family that are not going...if the distance is short enough people are driving it instead."
The increase in travel by car is also increasing holiday traffic and highway fatalities. Yet people are opting to take their chances on the road rather than on a plane.
People are inconveniencing themselves simply to avoid air travel. A trip that takes a minimum of eight hours by car or train could be accomplished in an hour by plane. In addition, the rates of plane tickets are considerably lower than usual, which makes air travel more economically efficient than ever. Yet Americans are understandably intimidated by the prospect of air travel no matter how much time they could potentially conserve or how much money they could potentially save.
With the upcoming holidays, Americans will be traveling to be with relatives. This in and of itself is an American tradition; it is one of the few times a year that we can take time from our hectic lives to spend with loved ones.
Flying to a desired destination has long been the ideal method of traveling. It's quick, easy, and economical in comparison to other methods. Now, even with the possibility of planes not reaching their destination in mind, flying remains one of the most effective modes of transportation. This year however, many Americans are seeking alternative modes of transportation.
Airlines are reportedly down 15% from this time last year, while companies providing alternate means of transportation, such as Greyhound and Amtrak, are up as much as 20% from last year. Local travel agencies are suffering great losses due to a seemingly national hesitation to fly this year. Camille Miller with Travel quest LTD in San Rafael says, "Business has been cut by 75% this year."
Yet she remains optimistic for her company despite this setback. Travel quest has been in business in San Rafael since 1981, and according to Miller, "is not going anywhere."
"Families are still traveling together," says Miller, "It's the individuals who travel to be with family that are not going...if the distance is short enough people are driving it instead."
The increase in travel by car is also increasing holiday traffic and highway fatalities. Yet people are opting to take their chances on the road rather than on a plane.
People are inconveniencing themselves simply to avoid air travel. A trip that takes a minimum of eight hours by car or train could be accomplished in an hour by plane. In addition, the rates of plane tickets are considerably lower than usual, which makes air travel more economically efficient than ever. Yet Americans are understandably intimidated by the prospect of air travel no matter how much time they could potentially conserve or how much money they could potentially save.
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