AAA predicts changed plans

The Sept. 11 attacks have curbed many travel plans for the holiday season.\nThe airline industry has lost billions of dollars and laid off more than 200,000 workers since the terrorist attacks, while passenger travel has dropped by more than 30 percent.\nWith Monday's crash of American Airlines flight 587 passenger levels stand to drop even more, as the American Automobile Association is forecasting a six percent drop in the number of holiday travelers.\nOf those who plan to travel this year, 87 percent will go by car, the highest percentage AAA has ever recorded.\nAAA Spokesman Greg Seiter attributed the rise in the number of travelers by car to the decline in gas prices. \nSince mid-May, AAA has reported a drop in the price of gas by 50 cents from the record high national average of $1.72. \n"We feel that people who have already made plans to travel, will keep those plans," Seiter said.\nChris Gourley, president of Bloomington Shuttle Company, also reported a drop in the percentage of travelers, but is certain that it will be business as usual during the holiday season.\n"In October, we were down 10 percent from last year," Gourley said. "But most out-of-state students who are planning on going home will go home anyway," Gourley said.\nOverall, IU students' opinions about travel seem unaffected by Monday's crash. \nJunior Matthew Ewing, who will be flying from Indianapolis to Chicago, and later to Los Angles, finds comfort in the added precautions the government has imposed.\n"I think the administration is doing all they reasonably can to keep the airways safe," Ewing said. "It's obvious that accidents sometimes happen, but in general, I feel safe."\nBut some airports seem to "feel" safer than others.\nJunior Gina Koorsen lost her boarding pass before her flight out of Indianapolis International Airport. She was certain that with the increased security she would not be able to board her plane. But much to Koorsen's surprise, she found that it very easy to get another boarding pass.\n"Indianapolis seemed to be very relaxed with security," Koorsen said. "In Raleigh, North Carolina, I had to stand in line for two hours and guards with rifles were always around. It just felt safer."\nThe Associated Press contributed to this article.