7 of 10 Americans Not Afraid to Fly on Sept. 11 Anniversary, According to AAA Survey

AURORA, Ill., Sept. 9 -- Nearly seven out of 10 Americans said the upcoming anniversary of the terrorist attacks last year would not affect their decision to fly this Sept. 11, according to the results of a survey released by AAA.

Only 31 percent of those responding to the survey said the fact this Sept. 11 is the anniversary of the attacks would make them less likely to fly on that date, while 67 percent said it would have no impact on their plans. Two percent of those surveyed had no opinion.

But this does not mean air travelers are not concerned about aviation security. When asked what factors have been extremely important in their decision to schedule leisure travel since Sept. 11, air travel security concerns (40 percent) ranked second only to airfare cost (41 percent).

"Travelers seem to be saying that while they are not afraid to fly, they are keenly aware of the importance security now plays in air travel," said Steve Nolan, spokesman for AAA Chicago.

When asked to respond to the question, "Compared to the 12 months before the events of Sept. 11, have you flown for pleasure more or less since then?" -- 59 percent of those surveyed said it has made no difference. Twenty-six percent said they have flown less for leisure and 11 percent said they have flown more. Four percent of those surveyed had no opinion.

Of those surveyed, 50 percent said they would be extremely willing or very willing to submit to an extensive background check in order to obtain a special ID card to move more rapidly through airport check points. Thirty- eight percent said they would not be very willing or not willing at all to submit to such a background check. Ten percent said they would be neither willing nor unwilling to submit to a check and 2 percent had no opinion.

AAA Chicago is a not-for-profit, tax paying membership organization serving more than 800,000 members and the general public in Illinois and Northern Indiana. AAA Chicago provides automotive, insurance, travel and financial services, and is a member of The Auto Club Group.