Security helps to ease fear

By KELSEY BLACKWELL
UNIVERSITY JOURNAL

LAS VEGAS — Despite the lack of proper airport security that led to the catastrophic events of last Sept. 11, people flying out of McCarran International Airport on the one-year anniversary of that day said they had few reservations when it came to their own safety.
Sheila Kerr, a teacher from Dublin, Ireland, said increased airport security has helped to calm her fears of a repeat attack.
“Security has been so good,” she said. “My jewelry went off three times at three different airports. I feel pleased; I don’t mind that at all.”
Similarly, Wayne Power, an insurance agent from Muscle Shoals, Ala., said security has been a comfort to him as he travels.
“We have been pretty impressed with the way everything has gone,” Power said. “They’ve been really active.”
Evelyn Franey, a homemaker from Alexandria, Va., said that even though she’s seen an increase in the efforts by airport security, she is still wary of flying on Sept. 11.
“I prayed really hard this morning hoping and praying that I would have good flight today and tomorrow,” she said. “I feel it’s safe, but I have that inner fear that something could happen again.”
Most who prepared for their flights on Sept. 11 thought there was no need to bring any precautionary items in case of an attack.
Adam Kurtis, a student from Orlando, Fla., said he didn’t believe there was anything he could bring that would help him if there was to be a problem.
“I haven’t taken any extra precautions,” Kurtis said. “I mean, if you’re gonna go, you’re gonna go.”

Likewise, Saeed Golshani, a retail salesman from Tehran, Iran, also said that he didn’t believe anything extra was needed.
“I didn’t prepare any differently for my trip,” he said. “I don’t have anything to hide. They’re looking at everything, and that’s what we would hope.”
Power said he didn’t think it was necessary to pack any differently.
“I didn’t pack any differently today than I would on any other day,” he said. “Basically, nothing has really changed.”
Jack Bogert of Drums, Pa., said he wasn’t going to prepare differently for his trip, especially because of the date.
“I figure it’s one of the safest days to fly,” he said. “There’s increased security dogs and sniffers. I’m not going to let terrorists scare me out of doing something I want.”
Others shared his sentiment by choosing to fly on Sept. 11.
Jim Woods of Biloxi, Miss., said he certainly wasn’t going to let last year’s events affect him.
“When I booked my flight, the lady said, ‘You know, that day is Sept. 11,’ and I said, ‘I don’t care, it doesn’t make no difference, I’m going to go when I want,” Woods said.
Philip Rothchild, a stockbroker from Boston, Mass., agreed.
“If something’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen. You can’t stop your life,” he said.
Wood said the extent of security on Sept. 11 was never a factor as he planned his trip.
“Security doesn’t make no difference in the Marine Corps,” he said. “I’ve been in combat situations. It happened, and if it happens again nobody on earth could stop it.”
Kurtis said during his time at McCarran International Airport, he hasn’t noticed a difference in the level of security.
“I haven’t really noticed anything different security-wise,” he said. “Thus far, the only difference is the media. It’s all been pretty hyped up because of the media.”