Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Americans Reluctant to Fly 9/11

Aired August 01, 2002 - 14:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: As America moves towards the first anniversary of the deadly terrorist attacks, air travelers seem to be showing a reluctance to fly on September 11. Some airlines are even responding by cutting back on their flight schedules for that day.
CNN's Jeff Flock joins us from O'Hare International Airport, in Chicago, with a little more.

Hi -- Jeff.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, hello.

Since we last spoke, we talked to the Air Transport Association. That's the industry group for the airlines, a trade group. They say that if there is any drop off in travel on September 11, they don't think it is because of any fear of flying, but rather that they think people are just going to stay home, be with family, and be closer to home perhaps to mark September 11 in their own way, and not be in the air because of any fear, but just because that's the way it is.

How about you, sir?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No fear. I think it is important that we recognize what happened on September 11. But I will still be traveling if I have the opportunity. I don't like to think or feel that they have influenced my life to where I am going to change because of what they did. I still respect the freedom. America's founded upon freedom, and I don't want see them impact that sort of thing as far as individual rights and how we feel. You know?

FLOCK: Understand that. How do you feel about security, by the way, as you travel?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The security, I think it is important that we recognize it and beef it up. I think it is still...

FLOCK: Good enough now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it still has a ways to go.

FLOCK: I hear that.

Good, sir, I appreciate it very much. Thanks for taking the time.

Kyra, as we reported earlier, both American and United indeed saying that they have a reduction in bookings for those days -- not only September 11, but the days around it. And as a result, they are cutting some flights back, although they emphasize to us they have still got plenty of room. So come on and travel on September -- if you like.

That's latest from O'Hare back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right, Jeff, so if we have a ticket -- say we're flying on September 11 -- is it possible that once we get there, all of a sudden they are going to decide cancel, or are they going to preplan all of this?

FLOCK: In terms of the cancellations, they said -- and the only one that emphasized that they would be cutting back flights was the only one who gave us details about the types of flights he been cutting -- was United, and they said that it would to cities that had a lot of travel -- the Chicago to New York hub for example -- so that there would be other opportunities for you to go, it just may not be as convenient for you to go at the very hour that you wanted to go. But they should still be able to get you where you need to go.

PHILLIPS: Jeff Flock. Thanks, Jeff.

FLOCK: Thanks, Kyra.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com