Posted on Nov 24, 2015
MSgt Curtis Ellis
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Americans trying to get out of town for Thanksgiving face more intense screening, longer security lines and a scary global warning from the State Department — but many say fears of terrorism won't keep them grounded.

"It worries everybody, but if you're confident and you have faith, what else can you do?" Hartford resident Wanda Valle told NBC Connecticut as crowds filled Bradley Airport for the holiday rush.

"Whatever is going to happen is going to happen."

The bombing of a Russian jet, the attacks in Paris and threats in Brussels had already put the world on edge. The State Department's Monday night alert — warning that Islamic militants are planning attacks in "multiple regions" — only added to the jitters.

A State Department spokesman said Tuesday the point of the directive was not to discourage travel but to encourage Americans "to be very prudent, very vigilant."

U.S. authorities note that there is no specific threat to transportation networks and that precautions to keep travelers safe are being stepped up.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs three of the nation's busiest airports and other travel hubs, said its police force is on "heightened alert" at all facilities.

"Actions include increased patrols and checks of bags, buses, trucks and trains at agency locations. Travelers also are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to police or other authorities," the agency said.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration urged travelers to get to the airport two hours before a flight to allow extra time for screenings — and to keep their eyes peeled.

"We encourage travelers to be vigilant & report any suspicious activity to law enforcement," the agency tweeted Tuesday in response to a question about how seriously ticket-holders should take the State Department alert.

"If you see something, say something."

At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minnesota, officials said bags and passengers would face extra scrutiny, resulting in longer lines.

"Even a few seconds per person is going to add up," airport spokeswoman Melissa Scovron told NBC affiliate KARE.

John Hobday of Minnetonka told the station he had already witnessed extra attention even before the holiday travel got under way.

"I was in Calgary over the weekend. I just noticed in customs, on the way in, immigration was asking more questions than I would normally be used to," he said. "Normally they would go through their paperwork and ask you something but this was, 'What do you do for work? and 'Oh, what background do you have for that? and 'Interesting, and that qualifies you to do this?'"

George Hobica, founder of the travel site airfarewatchdog.com, said it does not appear the security concerns have hurt business.

"We haven't seen any fire sales at all, at least in airfares," he said. "Airfares to Brussels and Paris have not gone down."

Hobica said many travelers were taking the latest in a long list of travel alerts in stride.

"I think we have to put this in perspective," he said. "The number of people killed in Baltimore from gun violence was over 300, but the State Department is not saying 'don't go to Baltimore.'"
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Responses: 13
SN Greg Wright
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MSgt Curtis Ellis Nothing terrorists do will ever factor into any decision I make. Fuck them. I may wind up waiting in longer lines, but that wasn't me changing my life because of their actions.

But no...I'm not going anywhere this Holiday season. That'd require some semblance of a life lol.
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Capt Retired
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Yep. Walking down the hall to the dining room.
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MAJ Alvin B.
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Yes. However, I will be driving, so my concern will be traffic, vice airport security. Given the current situation, I am glad I am not traveling by air this weekend.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
MSgt Curtis Ellis
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MAJ Alvin B. Travel safely and Happy Thanksgiving!
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MAJ Alvin B.
MAJ Alvin B.
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Thank you MSgt Ellis, you as well if you are traveling this weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!
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