Since 9-11 Do You Fly?

Question

More, less or the same? Would you let your child who is say 10 and over fly alone? If not is it because of 9-11? I'm just curious.

I ask about the child because another person answered another question that they wouldn't let their 10 yr old fly because of 9-11. I thought that was a bit silly. I fly more now than before.

Answer 1

More! First off, since 9-11, flying is much safer because people are a little more on edge and a little more paranoid, therefore, more safeguards have been added. How effective these safeguards are is debatable but there are more of them. Second, if we allow what happened in 9-11 to prevent us from flying then they won. A 10 year old shouldn't have any problems flying alone, as the flight attendants are always very careful (nobody wants a lawsuit) and it promotes independence for children.

Answer 2

I was 10 years old and in the fifth grade on 9/11 in Queens (borough of NYC). That December, my family took a trip to Las Vegas. We flew America West out of JFK.
I usually go on vacation that requires air travel at least once a year (I try to). Last summer, I flew alone from LGA to BOS on the US Airways Shuttle. I was 15 (I'm still 15). This summer (when I'll be 16), I'm flying alone to Costa Rica, and back from Panama. I know I'm a bit older than your child, but airlines take care of children (see below). I've never had a problem on a flight (besides security confiscating my Dad's Swiss Army knife all the time).
If your child is 10, let him/her fly! Flying is fun. Since he or she (I'm not sure, you didn't say) is only 10, you'd have to use the airline's Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service, which is around $50 per leg (of the trip). 9/11 should not be a reason to not fly. Aviation is safer than ever.
As for whether I fly more/less, I probably fly more. It's been just over 5 years, but I guess I could say that I fly more frequently, because I've been doing more things that aren't that close to home.

Answer 3

Since 9-11, I still fly a few times a year. I think we are safer, but anyone who lets any fear control them is losing out on a lot of life.
I would not let my child under the age of 18 years old fly alone - my child is my responsibility and no one else's - it has nothing to do with 9-11.

Answer 4

I actually fly more than before...mainly because I moved to the east coast and family is back in the Midwest.

As for a 10 yr old flying, I guess it all depends on the maturity level of the child. If you think they can handle it, I'd say it's fine. You can always ask the steward/ess to keep an eye on them.

Answer 5

I fly more now, just because i was still in high school on 9/11, and now i'm travelling abroad, and back and forth between college and home. I have younger siblings under 10, and i have to be honest, i wouldn't want them flying alone. Not just because of terrorism, but you know, if something happened, i wouldnt want a child to be alone. I'd fly with them, even if it's not convenient.

Answer 6

I have flown several hundred times since then and it's fine. It's still the safest way to travel - far safer than driving, for example. I would fly over driving any day. And why would it be any less safe for a 10-year old flying alone than for anybody else?

Answer 7

I fly less since 9/11 not because I'm affraid of terroism but because flying now is such a hassle. as far as people who send their children on flights bythemselves (unacompanied minors) I would never do it I work in the Travel Industry and have heard way too many stories of problems with UM's not to mention you have no idea who is flying next to him/her theyre are a ton of freaks in this world and I have seen children as young as 5 flying alone. Makes me want to call the department of family services on their parents.

Answer 8

I fly more, because the chances now of hijacking or crash or bomb or whatever the hell it is, is lees likely due to security. Those security checklines always pull me aside to due further searches. :) And people don't take no crap from hijackers, we will stand up and get the plane back. A 9/11 will never happen again, and if it does I feel really bad for the hijackers because they messed with the wrong crowd of people.

Answer 9

Life goes on. If you constantly live your life, remembering the past and going paranoid about it, that's not living at all. People die in so many other ways, it's just part of life. But, no, I wouldn't let my child fly alone at that age. He/she would at least have to be 18.

Answer 10

i fly just about the same..maybe more. and about the ten year old. if it were up to me, it would depend on how long of a flight it would be and how responsible the child is. also, the airlines have different policies and i would prefer the child to be walked on and off of hte plane by an airline crew member.