With September 11, 2026 marking 25 years since the attacks, one traveler explains why he rearranged his flights, even knowing the decision isn't rational.
I have multiple flights on 9/11 this year.
I didn't even notice it was 9/11 when I booked them.
As you say, to each their own. Although I think a Kenya Airways E190 from Nairobi to Nampula is unlikely to be a target of anything.
@ Sean M. -- Hah! For the record, this is intended to be US specific, which I didn't do a good job clarifying. I wouldn't think twice about booking a non-US airline outside the US.
@Sean M - you'd better watch out, I think there's a warning about a planned mosquito attack in Kenya that day. Also the day before, and the day after, and....
So what makes 25th so different?
Or are you avoiding every 9/11 from now on?
Wouldn't have stopped me if my plans happened to overlap, but I kinda sorta get it.
Anyways, even *if*, the odds of being caught up in anything are too slim to bother trying to avoid.
I have a work trip to Germany and will be flying on 9/11. I had not even thought about it from a safety standpoint. Nor will I. The reality is that anything can happen at anytime...that is the only rational conclusion. As well, if you're a terrorist, I highly doubt you want to pick such an obvious day when of course security will be tightened.
Here's the thing, while we could have terrorist attacks, airline cockpit doors can no longer be forced open the way they were 25 years prior. Enjoy your flight to Germany!
All good, Ben. No one should feel pressured to travel. It's often a privilege, and we shouldn't take our safety (and health, mental and physical) for granted. Personally, was not in NYC during 9/11 (thankfully), but have lived here, on and off, nearly 10 years; witnessed the rebirth of Downtown, including the new WTC complex (in fact, they just started the new 2 WTC, which will be the new Amex HQ; still waiting on the new 5 WTC, which should be residential). If you haven't been, highly recommend the Memorial and museum during your next visit to NYC; the Perelman Performing Arts Center is also excellent. Folks, try to be respectful. Take care out there, everyone!
This is how the terrorists win.
And unfortunately it worked.
Thanks for sharing. . NEVER FORGET
I was living in Manhattan at the time. Not only the event but what it did to the airline industry for years afterwards. I will be flying. A big F U to those that hate this country, including the mayor who despite asking not to be there will make his presence known.
"A big F U to those that hate this country, including the mayor who despite asking not to be there will make his presence known."
Would you like a tissue, snowflake?
He's the mayor of New York City. Just because a bunch of racists don't like him or don't want him to be visible (If they don't see him, he doesn't exist? Sounds like a case for Schrodinger.) doesn't mean he doesn't exist or shouldn't be a part of 9/11 memorials.
Cry some more.
He was told by the widows that his presence was not wanted. I guess according to you their wishes should not be honored. He's a spoiled grifter that likes playing King.
I remember living in NYC during the late 90s and through the 00s. No craziness on the subway. The few homeless you would see were docile. I'd think nothing of walking home late at night. People were proud of how low crime was in the city and how livable it became and that the belief all cities would be crime ridden was a myth. But then again people like you desire total chaos.
George, I respect your perspective on what the city was like back then. While I don't share your view of our current leadership or where the city stands today (both of which I think are doing well), I get how your time here left a lasting impression. I just think that looking back on 25 years, our focus should be on rising above the hate rather than fueling it. Safe travels.
"He was told by the widows that his presence was not wanted."
Did ALL the victim families said so?
What if some victim families WANT him there, and by duty he IS the mayor.
Self centered hypocrite snowflakes.
Just like how you remember NYC in the 90s and completely forgot about the 80s.
"He was told by the widows that his presence was not wanted."
Who cares? Seriously. Who cares?
He was told by the victims' children that they would be honored to have him there.*
You're saying the widows win? What about the children? The parents? In laws? Whose votes count more? Do fill us in on how the attendance votes count so we can satisfy your rules.
*I made that up to make the point.
Are you sure they weren't referring to former mayor Rudy G (with his shoe-polish hair dye) who has disgraced himself so many times in the intervening years.
FYI, Georgie, dozens if not hundreds of Muslims died in the World Trade Center attacks.
There is a REASON why New Yorkers elected Mayor Mamdani despite his religion. It's that they can see beyond religion to who someone really is. Maybe you should try it, too.
I'm not flying anywhere because I'll be at a hospital getting a scan of my thyroid. At least I'll be in the right place if something goes wrong.
It's just a twenty minute ultrasound follow-up on a goiter they found years ago that defied cause and classification. No cancer and the thing's shrunk tremendously. Even diseases hate me and don't want to be around me.
I definitely don't have a problem with this, and I'm certainly aware that it's a solemn anniversary, but, that being said, I just don't see any way that a similar terrorist attack could happen again. If there were one, it likely wouldn't involve hijacking oneself into the cockpit of an airliner.
I won't NOT FLY due to possibility of terrorist activity, but i WON'T fly on 9/11:
- I was flying on 9/11/01
- I has a coworker die on the jet that crashed into the field
- I had several close friends working in the Pentagon when it was hit
- Muslim extremist groups DO like to choose the anniversary of an event to make their statement (look at the Bengazi attack.... it was going to happen.... but the date was intentional)
Not flying at all would let the bad guys win.
Not flying on the 11th is purely out of remembrance AND caution
I don’t think it’s irrational at all. Improbable maybe but not irrational.
I also don’t think the next terror attack will look anything like the last one. Hijacking an airplane isn’t as doable as it was in 2001.
Flying a drone into an engine or a shoulder fired rocket or missile is much more likely. All the TSA security theater won’t help much in that category.
Safe travels.
I'm far more worried about the state of air traffic control than the state of air transport security. There are so many near misses nowadays and we constantly hear about antiquated technology and overworked ATC staff. How many near misses have we heard about regarding terrorists caught sneaking weapons aboard planes lately? Doesn't mean it can't happen, but it seems to me that we have so many vulnerabilities that would be easier for terrorists to exploit.
Why the 25th anniversary is a major milestone? What about the 20th? Did you fly back then? And the 30th?
Fear by its definition is irrational.....
I'm pretty sure that if some terrorists ever decided to do an anniversary attack, it would be of a completely different nature.
the real terror threat is someone who thinks "unsafest airline" is proper english (sorry ben, but, come on man)
Except..."unsafest" is really a word, awkward as it may sound. I would say "most unsafe" myself, but yeah, here we are...
i'm not saying it isn't a word (and obviously knew it was one). i'm simply saying that one's using it in that manner demonstrates a disappointing unfamiliarity with good writing (or, shall we say, the bestest writing)
also, jesus, you'd say most unsafe? the "proper" thing would be least safe. come on
YES! I typically enjoy the topics Ben covers on his site. He's an enthusiast, like me, so I usually appreciate his stories.
That being said, when Ben slaughters the English language with words like "unsafest" instead of "least safe," I just shake my head. However, his worst recurring writing tic is his use of the phrase "I mean..." Ben can't go more than a few posts without subjecting us to this hackneyed phrase.
I understand why people use this in conversation, either written or spoken, because it's used to clarify, soften or intensify in an informal manner. But it strikes me and so many others as LAZY writing. Ben, please, try harder.
Best excuse to Invade Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and other countries. 9/11 continues to pay Dividends to people that already made Billions on Security Apparatus at ALL World Airports. For Example
a) Michael Chertoff was incharge of DHS after Tom Ridge. Chertoff has made Billions via his interests in Airport Scanners and other security related companies.
b) Larry Silverstein Doubled his insurance on WTC right before 9/11. He made easy 3 Billion Dollars right after 9/11.
c) Why did Israeli Airline Leave WTC right Before 9/11
d) Building 7 was never Hit By a Plane or anything else, How did that Building Implode?
@9/11 continues to pay Dividends, I'll give you "Invade Iraq, Afghanistan" but nope on the rest, Mr. Conspiracy Theorist.
Let's break down point by point:
(a) Most politicians in US History have been associated with Military Industrial Complex, one way or the other.
(b) No he didn't. He just asked for double insurance payout considering twin collapse as dual events. Court ruled it as single.
(c) There was no and never have been any Israeli Airline in WTC
(d) Buddy. Please read about induction effect. While we are at it, you might also want to evaluate the conspiracy behind Dominoes game.
I am not even a US citizen, never have been there. And still this is real basic stuff.
what happened about the room in Abu Dhabi? Unexplained writing.