My wife, Camilla, son, Luca, and I were on our way back to New York from Italy on the morning of September 11th. While still over the mid-Atlantic, Camilla turned to me and said,"There's something strange going on, the engine noises have changed, like we're descending." I thought she was mistaken. Soon after came the captain's apologetic voice, announcing that he had to divert the plane to St. John's, Newfoundland, due to a medical emergency. Although we were sitting towards the back of the plane, we could see forward all the way to the front. No one seemed to be ill, none of the attendants were running and when a man asked, "I'm a doctor, can I be of help?," he was told that everything was under control. Now I was nervous,  convinced that there must be some sort of mechanical problem. Camilla and I took Luca's hands and held them, silently aware of our shared fears and silently agreeing not to tell him of them.

As we approached St. John's airport, we were surprised to see many other jets sitting on the runways, seemingly from every American and European airline. How strange. Upon landing the captain's voice came on again, "We are sorry, ladies and gentlemen, there is no medical emergency onboard, but there is a major security alert in place over all of the skies of North America. There seem to have been attacks in New York and Washington, and we have been ordered to land here. As soon as we have any further information, we will share it with you."

The invisible wall that strangers maintain between one another on airplanes, trains and streets, immediately disappeared. Who had a cell phone? A radio? We had to find out what was going on. Sadly, soon enough we did. In the end, we spent six days in St. John's. The "Newfies" were incredibly gracious hosts, and all of the "plane people" were taken into their homes and hearts in ways that none of us would have anticipated. I never heard one word of complaint: people slept on army cots in hotel ballrooms and convention centers, young Italian couples were planning to honeymoon in New York, elderly spinsters on their way to a wedding, a young American couple, expectant with their first child, returning home to DC from a holiday. All could feel that their own inconveniences paled next to the overwhelming tragedy viewable on CNN.

But that was then, and we have begun to move on with our lives, and recently returned to Italy for the Christmas Holidays. FTF wanted us to share our perceptions of how travel has changed since September 11th. Obviously airport security is much more visibly in place, but we found most interesting the differences between New York and Italian security.

At New York's JFK International Airport, security begins right at the sidewalk, where you must show tickets and ID and have all of your bags inspected,  as well as walk through metal detectors. Long lines form from terminal entrances and wind down the sidewalks. If any potentially dangerous items (such as knives or razor blades) are detected, even in bags to be checked in, they are removed by security. You then proceed to the ticket counter with your bags. The ticket agent escorts you back to Security and places these items into your checked luggage, then sends it to the conveyor belt. Before boarding, you pass through a second metal detector and carry-on bag inspection. (If you need to go to the bathroom, you must be reexamined before boarding.) Military reservists with rifles are periodically visible, on every floor, at every section of the airport.

European security, at least at Milan's Malpensa, is quite different. The presence of military, higher there, has been in place throughout Europe for many years. Anyone can enter terminals and proceed unquestioned to the check-in gates, where checked bags are taken. You are informed that they are subject to security checks. Only upon descending to the gate levels are people stopped for ticket, IDs, and carry-on bag inspection. Entering the terminals is much faster, easier, but potentially less "secure." However, as all bags are inspected before passengers can board, there are typically long waits at the gate. The thoroughness of the inspection remains a mystery, but at JFK, I overheard other passengers say that their bags had in fact been opened and searched.

I hesitate to make assessments as to which method provides more security. One feels that European personnel have been dealing with security far longer than their American counterparts, and are therefore somewhat more savvy.

Travel has always entailed risk. With the events of September 11 still fresh in our memories, there is a new consciousness, acceptance and even respect for the work that security people do.  The new awkwardness is in finding a way to let them know they are appreciated, even though the seriousness of their jobs limits their ability to socialize with the general public. It is hard not to feel ambivalent about flying these days, but a little healthy ambivalence should not prevent families from experiencing the pleasures of travel.

First published by FTF in 2001.