"Fewer to Fly Over Holiday Weekend"

Saturday, May 25, 2002

Fewer to Fly Over Holiday Weekend


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Americans were inclined to take to the road on Memorial
Day weekend as terrorism fears caused many travelers to avoid flying.

Traditionally, the Memorial Day holiday is one of the nation's busiest. But
this year, it comes on the heels of warnings about possible terrorist
attacks.

An estimated 35.2 million people will be traveling during the three-day
weekend, a slight increase over last year, according to the American
Automobile Association.

Most, about 29.3 million, will go by motor vehicle, up from 28.7 million
last year, the AAA said. But the association expects the number of air
travelers to drop to 4.1 million from 4.4 million in 2001.

``Flying is such a risk since September 11, especially on this holiday
weekend when a lot of people will be traveling by plane,'' said Jeffrey
McClendon, 44, as he bought gas in Pasadena and prepared to drive to San
Luis Obispo.

Ron and Patti Finley of Excelsior Springs, Mo., also played it safe and
traveled by car, setting up their tent at Smithville Lake outside Kansas
City on Wednesday night.

``Flying is definitely not an option for us,'' said Patti Finley. ``If we go
anywhere, we definitely are driving.''

Others seemed willing to live with the risks.

``This is a war with no end,'' said Ken Lincoln, 68, who flew from Los
Angeles International Airport to Albuquerque, N.M. ``We'll always have
security problems.''

Rob Thomas, 33, flew from Phoenix to Omaha, Neb., and said he doubted
terrorists would try to hijack more planes. ``I don't think they have the
guts to do it twice,'' he said.

Some motorists were trying to make the most of their time on the road.

Sarah Olson, her husband and their 4-year-old twin boys drove from
Minneapolis to Chicago to visit relatives.

``I think we are more inclined to be together in general,'' Sarah Olson
said. ``Since the attacks, people have been trying to stay in touch with
their families before the next bad thing happens.''

Authorities in New York tightened security around the Statue of Liberty and
Brooklyn Bridge after the FBI disclosed uncorroborated information that the
sites might be targeted, and the 119th birthday celebration for the bridge
was canceled.

The Transportation Department on Friday said it warned all subways and
railroad systems to remain on a heightened state of alert for possible
terrorist attacks.

``If it's my day to go, and knock on wood I hope it isn't, then that was
meant to be,'' said Jennifer Kirby, who was changing trains at Grand Central
Terminal in New York on her way from New Jersey to Connecticut.

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