Just an observation. I flew from Houston to Dallas to Springfield and back in the last week, and I have made the trip prior to 9/11 as well.

The changes were amazing. All the airports, even Dallas, were ghost towns. Many of the kiosks and concessions are closed. The ones that are open have only one clerk, who must have been told to be VERY helpful and cheerful. The counter persons are much nicer than before.

Security was interesting. Of course, you can't park anywhere near the terminal now. After you enter the doors, you can go to the ticket counter, and that's IT. You must be a ticketed passenger to go anywhere else, so there basically aren't any other people at the airport. At metal detector checkpoints, there was a uniformed, armed guard. At each checkpoint (usually three) the staff REALLY looked at my driver's license and at me and my ticket.

In Springfield, I not only did the walk through metal detector, but I was 'wand' scanned, too. I saw this done to one or two passengers in each line.

I had not realize how many people in airports prior to 9/11 were accompanying passengers or waiting for passengers. Looks like it must have been about 6 to 1. Unfortunately, those people bought a lot of Starbucks and etc., so the vendors are hurting.

Only one of the in-flight announcements mentioned air marshals, and that was on the flight departing from Springfield. Actually, that is where the security was more obvious and tighter. I have learned that there is a militant Moslem leader living in that area, so perhaps that explains things.

Flights are overbooked. If I had not been in a hurry to get to Springfield, I could have volunteered to be bumped and gotten a dinner, hotel room, and $300 in travel vouchers out of the deal.

I did not, at any time, feel anxious about flying post 9/11. It was a much more pleasant experience than prior to 9/11 due to the lack of crowds and the new congeniality. Interesting.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001

Answers

I am suprised the flights were over-booked. Maybe they are trying to have less flights. I know that many businesses have been adversely affected but never really thought about all the little airport shops.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 11, 2001.

Yes. I noticed this too. I really felt sorry for the concessions people-I had never heard them asking for help--certainly they deserve some assistance as this is not their doing. Why don't the airports offer them some way to sell--kiosks?

The concession stands had all been located beyond the checkpoint.We had to go to the airport hours ahead with small kids and then couldn't eat anywhere (we weren't the ones travelling). I'd have really paid alot for some food, any food from a kiosk!

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), December 11, 2001.