Bradley International Airport, in compliance with these new regulations, has issued a travel advisory informing passengers of increased delays, heightened security and the absence of former conveniences, such as curbside check-in.
"I would suggest that even before you come down to the airport you should call the airline and check to see if you are still on the flight and are a confirmed passenger," said Stacey Doan, marketing coordinator for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. "I would leave a minimum of two hours to get through security," she added.
According to the Bradley Airport travel advisory, "Curbside check-ins will not be permitted, and all passengers must check in at each airline's respective ticket counter. Passengers must not proceed to the gates without first checking in at the ticket counter."
According to Doan, several major security measures have been taken at Bradley and other U.S. airports. These measures include "random bag checks at security points" and allowing no knives of any kind. Passengers were formerly permitted to carry a knife with a blade of four inches or less. Also, only ticketed passengers are allowed past the security check points.
Bradley is the nearest international airport to the College.
Students who fly to and from school can expect delays, increased security and even cancellations. Airports and airlines around the country are not operating at former capacity levels since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"You know how they tell you that you have to be an hour and a half early. I am usually a half-hour early," said Eliot Hellman '04. "I think now I will be there the full hour and a half early."
"The end of curbside check-in will be hard to deal with, as will the more rigorous checks of all bags, but as part of a new system of security, I feel that they are perfectly acceptable," said Rosalyn Foster '05.
Some students said that they will have to weigh the advantages of travel with the dangers that flying could present.
"What happened a few weeks ago served to harshly remind us of what could happen, as well as to increase the awareness of what we take for granted," said Hannah Whang '04. "Obviously, as awareness of what could go wrong is heightened, so is the hesitancy to board a plane, especially for a cross-country trip ... Unfortunately, not being able to see my family for the holidays is something that I would have to weigh heavily against what is only a possibility."
"I am not too worried ... You wonder 'could it be my airplane?' ... I can't not fly home. I have to go on with my life," said Hellman.
Doan advises all travelers to "just be patient ... Unfortunately, U.S. travellers are not used to this kind of security."